The United States government has added 19 more Nigerians to its list of individuals slated for deportation, raising the total number of affected Nigerians to 113 in recent weeks.
According to information obtained from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the individuals were included in what officials described as the “worst of the worst” category of criminal offenders facing removal from the country.
The latest update shows that the affected individuals were convicted of various offences, including sexual assault of a minor, fraud, assault, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
Authorities confirmed that the individuals were arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and will be deported upon completion of all required immigration procedures.
In a statement accompanying the list, the department said the move is part of ongoing enforcement efforts targeting criminal and undocumented migrants. It added that the agency is prioritising the removal of individuals considered high-risk offenders.
The development marks a sharp increase from the initial 79 Nigerians earlier identified for deportation, with the number climbing to 113 within a span of three weeks.
Among those newly listed are Adeolu Solabu, Oladayo Agboola, Chinonso Ochie, Oluchi Jennifer Chime, Samuel Omorodion, Sunday Adediora, and others.
The expanded deportation list comes amid a broader crackdown by US authorities aimed at tightening immigration enforcement and removing individuals with criminal convictions from the country.
