The US is to deport 18 Nigerians, this is in addition to 79 others earlier listed, bringing the total number of those to be deported to 97.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this, saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials arrested the Nigerians as part of a coordinated crackdown in several US states.
The 18 Nigerians whose names feature on the latest list include Oluwaseyanu Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Ojo, Franklin Ibeabuchi, Alex Ogunshakin, and Joshua Ineh.
Others are Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Umeadi, Donald Ehie, and Chukwudi Kalu.
The DHS said the new names were added as part of an expanded nationwide enforcement operation targeting immigrants convicted of serious crimes, adding that it was done under what it described as its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal immigrants programme.
The authorities are accusing the newly listed individuals of wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft, which pose significant financial and security risks.
“The US Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the 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,” the statement said.
The agency said the deportation process would be carried out immediately in line with US immigration laws.
