US Publishes Names, Photos of 124 Nigerians on ‘Worst of the Worst’ Deportation List as Trump Immigration Crackdown Intensifies

Follow

( 0 Followers )

X

Follow

E-mail : *

Follow Unfollow

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 124 Nigerians identified as part of its “Worst of the Worst” deportation register, marking another major step in President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement campaign.

The list, published on the official DHS website, identifies Nigerian nationals who U.S. authorities say have been convicted of serious criminal offences and are being prioritized for deportation under the administration’s renewed mass removal policy.

According to the DHS, the latest publication is intended to demonstrate the agency’s commitment to removing non-citizens considered dangerous to public safety.

In a statement accompanying the list, the department said:

“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations—starting with the worst of the worst—including the illegal aliens you see here.”

Among those named are Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Marcus Unigwe, Ejike Asiegbunam, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Chibundu Anuebunwa, Joshua Ineh, Bolarinwa Salau, Oludayo Adeagbo, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Isaiah Okere, Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi, Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Dennis Ofuoma, Ifeanyi Okoro, Olumide Bankole Morakinyo and dozens of other Nigerian nationals.

While U.S. officials confirmed that everyone listed has criminal convictions, the department did not disclose the specific offences committed by each individual, whether any appeals remain pending, or the timelines for their deportation.

The publication of names and photographs represents one of the most public displays of the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, aimed at highlighting individuals identified for removal.

The latest announcement follows an earlier publication involving approximately 79 Nigerians earlier this year. Nigeria is one of several countries represented on the DHS register, alongside nationals from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador and numerous other nations affected by the expanded deportation programme.

The development comes amid growing immigration tensions between the United States and Nigeria.

In June 2026, Washington introduced partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns relating to identity management, visa overstays, information sharing and security screening procedures.

The Nigerian government subsequently moved to strengthen its national identity framework after President Bola Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026, a law aimed at improving digital identity management and enhancing verification systems.

Immigration-related concerns have also remained in the spotlight following the brief detention of Nigerian Catholic nun Sister Leticia Ugboaja by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Texas while she was walking to Mass. She was later released after the incident attracted widespread public attention.

Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest diaspora populations in the United States, with millions of Nigerians living, studying and working across states including Texas, Maryland, Georgia and New York.

The community contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economy through remittances estimated at more than $20 billion annually, making diaspora inflows one of the country’s largest sources of foreign exchange.

Although the newly published list targets individuals with criminal convictions, immigration lawyers have warned that the broader enforcement climate may increase anxiety among law-abiding Nigerian immigrants, students and professionals, particularly during visa renewals and immigration status reviews.

Experts have advised Nigerians residing in the United States to ensure that immigration documents remain valid, understand their legal rights during encounters with immigration authorities, and maintain contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions where necessary.

Observers also say Nigerian authorities may seek additional information from U.S. officials regarding affected citizens while continuing diplomatic engagement over visa restrictions and preparing reintegration support for deportees returning to Nigeria after spending many years abroad.

The release of the 124-person list underscores the Trump administration’s continued emphasis on immigration enforcement and public safety, while adding another chapter to the evolving relationship between Washington and Abuja.