The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 124 Nigerians slated for deportation as part of a broader immigration enforcement campaign targeting non-citizens convicted of criminal offences.
The list was released on the department's official website on Wednesday, with the affected individuals classified under what the agency described as its "worst of the worst" category of criminal offenders.
Although the identities of those listed were made public, U.S. authorities did not disclose the specific crimes for which they were convicted or indicate when the deportations would be carried out.
In a statement accompanying the publication, the DHS said the action formed part of ongoing efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump to remove criminal offenders who are unlawfully present in the United States.
"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)," the agency said.
It added that immigration officials were implementing President Trump's pledge to intensify deportations, beginning with migrants considered to pose the greatest threat to public safety.
The list includes dozens of Nigerians identified by U.S. authorities, among them Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Marcus Unigwe, Ejike Asiegbunam, Joshua Ineh, Usman Momoh, Oriyomi Aloba, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Uche Diuno, Chinonso Ochie, Okechukwu Okoronkwo and Chukwuemeka Okorie.
Others named are Elizabeth Miller, Chima Orji, Abdul Akinsanya, Dennis Ofuoma, Ifeanyi Okoro, Abraham Ola Osoko, Oluchi Jennifer and Chibuzo Nwaonu, among many others.
The latest move is part of sweeping immigration measures introduced after Trump's return to the White House in January 2025.
Upon assuming office, the president signed a series of executive orders declaring illegal immigration a national emergency and directing federal agencies to strengthen border controls and accelerate deportation proceedings.
One of the executive orders, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, instructed immigration authorities to prioritise the arrest and removal of migrants deemed removable under U.S. law, particularly those with criminal convictions.
The DHS said officers of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been directed to intensify nationwide operations against non-citizens with criminal records.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has defended the administration's immigration policy, arguing that the government has a responsibility to enforce existing laws and remove undocumented migrants who have committed crimes.
The publication of the deportation list comes amid growing scrutiny of Nigeria by the Trump administration.
In June, the U.S. government announced partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity management systems, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening procedures.
Official U.S. immigration figures show that countries in Latin America, including Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, have recorded the highest number of deportees since the renewed immigration crackdown began.
However, the enforcement programme has increasingly expanded to include migrants from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
While the DHS has confirmed that the 124 Nigerians are among those facing removal, the agency has yet to announce a timeline for their deportation or provide further details on their individual cases.
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