Deportation Of Nigerians: Federal Government Appeals To Trump

The Federal Government of Nigeria has gone on appeal concerning the planned deportation of Nigerians from the United States of America (USA)

The intervention over the case of planned deportation of the 85 Nigerian immigrants is taken up by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu is not asking Washington not to effect the planned deportation, she is rather asking that it be done following established protocols.

Her appeal is contained in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, in the course of a visit by the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr.to the ministry.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu reminded the Donald Trump-led US government, the associated emotional and financial distress faced by many Nigerians in the U.S since the new administration signalled its intention to deport certain immigrants.

The statement issued by Magnus Eze, her special assistant on communication and new media, expressed concerns over the possible suspension of the U.S. Drop Box Visa System.

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“With the new U.S. administration, we want commitments. If deportation must happen, it should be dignified,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated.

“Will they be given time to manage their assets, or will they simply be bundled onto planes and sent back?”, she stated, adding that approximately 85 Nigerians of the about 201 Nigerians currently in U.S. immigration camps, had already been cleared for deportation.

The Nigerian ambassador stated that deportation affects not just those being repatriated but also their families in Nigeria, who depend on their remittances for survival and education.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised the need for deported individuals to be treated with dignity and allowed to settle their affairs before returning.

She also called for an official U.S. statement clarifying its stance on the Drop Box system to address growing concerns among Nigerians.

According to Odimegwu-Ojukwu, over 14,000 Nigerian students study in the U.S., with parents in Nigeria worried about possible changes to student visa policies.