Nigeria wants deportation protocols upheld as US sets to deport nationals
Bianca Ojukwu
The Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called on the United States to adhere to established protocols when deporting immigrants from its territory. This appeal follows a meeting between Odumegwu-Ojukwu and U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., in Abuja on Sunday.
In a statement issued by Magnus Eze, the minister’s special assistant on communication and new media, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed grave concerns about the potential suspension of the U.S. Drop Box Visa System, a move that could complicate the visa application process for many Nigerians. The minister also voiced her apprehension over the distress being caused by the U.S. administration’s decision to deport certain categories of immigrants, including Nigerian nationals.
The minister highlighted the significant emotional and financial toll these deportations are having on Nigerians in the U.S., many of whom have spent years building lives and supporting families back home through remittances. “With the new U.S. administration, we want commitments. If deportation must happen, it should be dignified,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, emphasizing the need for deported individuals to be treated with respect and given an opportunity to manage their personal affairs before being forcibly returned to Nigeria.
According to the minister, around 201 Nigerians are currently being held in U.S. immigration detention centers, with approximately 85 already cleared for deportation. Odumegwu-Ojukwu raised a crucial question regarding the conditions of these deportations: “Will they be given time to manage their assets, or will they simply be bundled onto planes and sent back?” She emphasized that deportation is not just an individual issue, as the families of these individuals in Nigeria rely heavily on their support for survival and education. The emotional impact of deportation, according to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, is far-reaching, affecting not only the deportees but also their relatives who depend on their financial contributions.
In addition to her concerns about deportation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu appealed to the U.S. government to reconsider its plan to suspend the Drop Box Visa System, which allows certain travelers to apply for visas without the need for an in-person interview. The policy change, if implemented, would place a further burden on genuine travelers seeking to visit the U.S., particularly those from Nigeria. She called for an official statement from the U.S. government to clarify its position on the Drop Box Visa System. “We need to know where the U.S. stands on this issue, as it is causing growing uncertainty and concern among Nigerian citizens who are looking to visit the United States,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated.
The minister’s comments reflect a growing unease within Nigeria over the U.S.’s evolving immigration policies and the impact they are having on Nigerian citizens abroad. As the situation develops, both countries are expected to continue diplomatic discussions to address these pressing concerns.
