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Some Nigerians in US stay indoors to avoid deportation

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2025

Some Nigerians in US stay indoors to avoid deportation

Amid growing concerns over U.S. immigration policies, many Nigerian illegal immigrants in the United States have revealed that they have drastically reduced their movements to avoid the threat of arrest and deportation.

Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President, they have taken steps to minimize their public presence, with some even stopping work and avoiding places like churches and social gatherings, out of fear of being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Immigration Policies and Deportation Orders

According to a document compiled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations, around 3,690 Nigerians in the U.S. are facing deportation. The document, titled Non-citizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship, lists Mexico and El Salvador as the countries with the highest numbers of deportations, with 252,044 and 203,822 cases, respectively. As of November 2024, a total of 1,445,549 non-citizens were on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders.

Upon taking office, President Trump signed a series of executive orders that were aimed at tightening immigration laws, including efforts to end birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice warned local and state authorities that they would face legal consequences if they did not comply with the administration’s strict immigration directives.

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Trump’s Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, shared on her official X handle that the largest deportation operation in U.S. history was currently underway.

Fear and Sacrifice: Nigerians Staying Indoors

While deportation was initially targeted at immigrants with criminal records, Nigerian illegal immigrants fear that they too may be caught in the ongoing crackdown. Many have now limited their activities to just essential functions, staying home in order to avoid any potential run-ins with ICE officers.

One Nigerian immigrant from Tampa, Florida, who spoke with The Punch Newspaper explained the drastic measures he had taken to stay under the radar. “Ever since Trump came to power and acted on his threat of deportation, some of us have stopped going to work because ICE officers can raid workplaces to arrest illegal immigrants at any time,” he said. He went on to describe how his social life had been deeply impacted: “I don’t go to church anymore because it is possible to be arrested there. For now, the only safe place is your house—stay indoors.”

In Tampa, the factory where he works employs many Nigerians and Africans, some of whom have also stopped going to work due to fears of deportation. “The fear of Trump is the beginning of wisdom now,” he said, reflecting the palpable anxiety felt by many in the immigrant community. Despite the uncertainty, he remains hopeful: “We survived Obama’s deportation actions; we will survive this one as well. We hope that the various lawsuits against the immigration policies will slow things down and eventually restrain Trump from carrying them out.”

The Unbearable Choice: Stay or Return to Nigeria?

While some Nigerian immigrants have expressed their deep desire to avoid returning to Nigeria, citing worsening conditions at home, many have also suffered personal losses in their attempts to secure legal residency. One immigrant, who left Nigeria in 2013, lamented the failed attempts to regularize his status. “I have been trying to get my papers since then. I was scammed through marriage and other means. In this regularisation process, I have lost close to $30,000. At a point, I wanted to file for asylum, but I was advised against it because I had spent over three years without valid papers,” he explained.

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Another Nigerian living in Columbus, Ohio, also shared his fears regarding the Trump administration’s immigration actions. Although Nigerians are not the primary targets, he noted that “any foreign national staying in the US illegally can be arrested and deported by ICE operatives at any time.” He continued, “The truth is, Trump’s war on illegal immigrants has restricted our movements. People are mindful of where they go now. The situation is like a rat monitoring the presence of a cat before stepping out.”

Despite the constant fear, this immigrant emphasized that returning to Nigeria would be an even worse alternative: “My difficult living conditions here are still better than what is considered ‘comfortable’ in Nigeria.”

The Uncertain Future: Lawsuits and Political Tensions

As of January 23, 538 illegal immigrants were deported from the U.S. as part of this ongoing operation. Yet, despite the sweeping deportations, many Nigerian immigrants remain hopeful that legal challenges to Trump’s policies may offer a reprieve. A Nigerian journalist in the U.S. expressed the general sentiment shared by many: “If they ask all of us to go back to our countries, we will have no choice but to leave. It is their country. If Nigeria were a better place, nobody would have left in the first place, and many of us would be ready to go back home. But unfortunately, our country has been plagued by bad leadership.”

Many African immigrants, particularly in Republican-controlled states, have voiced their concerns over the growing deportation agenda. The pressure to remain unnoticed has taken a toll on the community, as movement restrictions continue to tighten.

As Nigerian immigrants in the U.S. continue to live under the shadow of deportation, they are adapting by limiting their public presence. The fear of being detained by ICE officers has led many to avoid work, church, and public spaces, choosing to stay home instead. Despite the anxiety and uncertainty, there remains a glimmer of hope that legal challenges and potential policy changes will provide some relief in the future. However, the risk of deportation continues to loom large for thousands of undocumented immigrants, and for many, returning to Nigeria is an option they cannot fathom due to the dire circumstances they face there.

Some Nigerians in US stay indoors to avoid deportation

Related Topics:Deportation Featured Nigerians US

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Panama Earthquake: 27 Injured as Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Tremor Damages Hundreds of Buildings

Published

12 hours ago

October 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Panama Earthquake: 27 Injured as Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Tremor Damages Hundreds of Buildings

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake has struck Panama, injuring at least 27 people, damaging hundreds of buildings and infrastructure, and forcing evacuations in several parts of the Central American country.

The earthquake, which struck on Friday, October 9, 2026, was centred near Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera Province, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The agency initially estimated the magnitude at 8.0 before revising it to 7.7.

Panama’s National Civil Protection System reported that at least 27 people sustained minor injuries. Authorities had not reported any deaths or missing persons in the latest updates available on Saturday.

The disaster damaged more than 400 buildings and other structures, including residential properties, schools, healthcare facilities, churches, government buildings, hotels, bridges and roads, according to reports citing Panamanian authorities.

The provinces of Coclé, Herrera and Los Santos were among the hardest-hit areas, with emergency teams assessing the damage and working to reach communities affected by damaged roads, bridges and landslides.

In Penonomé, parts of buildings reportedly collapsed, including a tower of the San Juan Bautista Cathedral and sections of the provincial government building. A hotel was also reported to have collapsed, while falling debris damaged vehicles.

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Authorities reported damage to 142 homes and 188 schools, alongside other public and private infrastructure. The full extent of the damage was still being assessed, meaning the figures could change as more inspections were completed.

The coastal town of Tonosí, in Los Santos Province, was among the communities experiencing access difficulties. Health Minister Fernando Boyd said officials were exploring ways to reach affected areas by air where damaged roads made land access difficult.

The earthquake was also strongly felt in Panama City, approximately 200 kilometres from the epicentre. Residents and office workers rushed out of high-rise buildings as the tremor shook the capital, while hospitals and other facilities carried out precautionary evacuations.

Operations at Tocumen International Airport were temporarily disrupted, with some flights reportedly diverted as a precaution. Airport operations later resumed, while the Panama Canal continued operating without reported disruption to shipping.

A tsunami warning was issued for parts of the eastern Pacific following the earthquake but was subsequently lifted. Authorities continued monitoring the situation for aftershocks, with Panama’s geosciences institute reporting more than 80 tremors, including one exceeding magnitude 6.0.

President José Raúl Mulino travelled to Penonomé to coordinate the government’s response and urged residents to remain calm while emergency teams assessed the affected areas.

The country’s Education Ministry also announced the suspension of classes nationwide as a precautionary measure.

The United States offered assistance, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Washington was monitoring the situation and mobilising resources and personnel at the request of the Panamanian government. Leaders in Colombia, Ecuador and Guatemala also expressed solidarity and offered support.

Despite the extensive damage and widespread evacuations, no fatalities had been confirmed in the latest official updates available on Saturday. Emergency workers continued inspecting buildings, assessing infrastructure and determining the needs of affected communities.

Authorities were expected to provide further updates as damage assessments progressed and more information became available about the earthquake’s impact.

Panama Earthquake: 27 Injured as Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Tremor Damages Hundreds of Buildings

International

Anti-Apartheid Lawyer Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize After Gaza Genocide Findings

Published

1 day ago

October 9, 2026

Trends Admin

South African jurist and human rights advocate Navi Pillay

Anti-Apartheid Lawyer Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize After Gaza Genocide Findings

South African jurist and human rights advocate Navi Pillay, who fought apartheid and led a United Nations inquiry that concluded Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award on Friday, October 9, recognising Pillay’s decades-long work to strengthen international justice and ensure accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Pillay, 85, is a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and a former judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC). She also served as a judge and president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which prosecuted those responsible for crimes committed during the 1994 genocide.

The Nobel Committee praised her courage, integrity and contribution to developing a stronger international legal order at a time when institutions responsible for upholding international law face increasing political pressure.

Born into a family of Indian Tamil descent in Durban, South Africa, during the apartheid era, Pillay built her legal career challenging racial discrimination and defending political activists. Her early work included defending anti-apartheid figures, including Nelson Mandela and others who opposed the system of racial segregation.

She later became one of South Africa’s pioneering female jurists, serving on the country’s High Court after apartheid ended.

Pillay’s international career included serving as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda from 1999 to 2003, where she contributed to landmark developments in international criminal law, particularly the recognition of rape and sexual violence as potential crimes against humanity and acts of genocide.

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She subsequently served as a judge at the ICC and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014.

More recently, Pillay chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which published findings in 2025 concluding that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The Israeli government strongly rejected the report and its conclusions.

Pillay has continued to defend the importance of accountability under international law. She has also stressed the need to address violations committed by all parties to conflicts, including crimes attributed to Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Reacting to the Nobel announcement, Pillay reiterated her position on Gaza, saying the situation amounted to genocide. Her comments came amid continuing international debate over the conflict and the legal responsibilities of the parties involved.

The Nobel Committee’s decision recognises Pillay’s broader career and does not itself constitute a judicial ruling on whether genocide has occurred in Gaza. The committee cited her contribution to international law and the prosecution of serious international crimes as central reasons for the award.

Pillay is also serving as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice in the genocide case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar over the treatment of the Rohingya.

Her award makes her the fifth South African to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, following Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and former president FW de Klerk.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the announcement, describing the honour as recognition of Pillay’s courage, integrity and lifelong commitment to justice and human dignity.

The 2026 award comes as international legal institutions face mounting scrutiny and political pressure over their efforts to investigate alleged war crimes and hold individuals and governments accountable.

By recognising Pillay, the Nobel Committee has placed renewed emphasis on the role of international law, independent courts and human rights protections in efforts to prevent violence and build lasting peace.

Anti-Apartheid Lawyer Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize After Gaza Genocide Findings

International

UK Navy Sailor Charged Over Alleged Plot to Leak Intelligence to Russia

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2026

Trends Admin

UK Navy Sailor Charged Over Alleged Plot to Leak Intelligence to Russia

A 24-year-old British Royal Navy sailor has been charged with national security offences over an alleged plot to obtain sensitive military intelligence and pass protected information to Russia, raising fresh concerns about the security of classified defence information.

The suspect, Teddy Young, appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Thursday, October 8, where the allegations against him were outlined.

According to British authorities, Young faces two charges under the National Security Act 2023 relating to the alleged retention of protected information and preparations to disclose sensitive material for the benefit of a foreign power.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) alleged that Young accessed and retained sensitive United Kingdom defence and intelligence information while serving as a Royal Navy warfare intelligence rating with high-level security clearance and access to intelligence systems.

Prosecutors said the alleged offences occurred between November 2024 and May 2025, during his first deployment, which began on November 4, 2024.

The allegations include obtaining, copying, recording or retaining protected information with the intention of benefiting a foreign power, as well as engaging in conduct in preparation for disclosing the material.

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Although the charges identify an unnamed foreign power, British media reports have identified Russia as the country Young allegedly sought to assist.

Investigators reportedly suspect that Young used the dark web to explore ways of contacting Russian authorities. He is also alleged to have drafted a message in Russian intended to establish contact with a potential recipient of the sensitive information.

Reports further alleged that he copied information to a private email account, in breach of Navy rules.

Young joined the Royal Navy in April 2024 and was serving in a warfare intelligence role when the alleged offences took place.

He was first arrested on May 21, 2025, and subsequently released on bail while investigations continued. His security clearance was suspended, and he was removed from his duties.

Counterterrorism police arrested him again at his home in Bedfordshire on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, before charging him with the offences.

During Thursday’s brief court hearing, Young was not asked to enter a plea because the seriousness of the charges meant the case could not be dealt with at the magistrates’ court.

District Judge Annabel Pilling ordered that he remain in custody pending his next appearance at the Central Criminal Court, commonly known as the Old Bailey, on October 16.

The Royal Navy confirmed that a serving member had been charged following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

The Navy declined to comment further, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.

British authorities also stressed that the investigation was separate from a recent security incident involving suspicious vehicles near RAF Fairford, a military airbase in Gloucestershire.

The case comes amid continuing concerns among Western governments about espionage, the protection of sensitive military information and attempts by foreign powers to obtain intelligence relating to national security.

However, the allegations against Young remain unproven, and any determination of his criminal responsibility will be made through the judicial process.