The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport 18 Nigerians whose names were added to its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal alien register under an ongoing immigration enforcement exercise.
DHS maintains a list of non-citizens it describes as the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens as part of its immigration enforcement efforts in the United States.
Last week, federal authorities announced that 79 Nigerians had been named on this register as part of a broader deportation initiative.
The register is published on the DHS website and reflects individuals whose names the agency says were added for having convictions for serious crimes.
DHS said the deportations involve individuals whose names were recently added to the criminal alien register, raising the total number of Nigerians scheduled for removal to 97.
The records show that the newly listed Nigerians were convicted of offences that include wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft.
An official statement posted on the DHS website said the arrests and listing on the register are part of enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The statement read, “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.
Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the hardworking 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, including the illegal aliens you see here.”
Convicted Nigerians named on the recently updated register include Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo and Franklin Ibeabuchi.
Others listed are Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Joshua Ineh, Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Surajudeen Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Chisom Umeadi, Donald Ehie and Chukwudi Kingsley Kalu.
The expansion of the deportation list comes amid an ongoing U.S. immigration enforcement effort that federal authorities say prioritises the removal of non-citizens with serious criminal convictions.
The “worst-of-the-worst” register is part of policy directives to identify and process for removal foreign nationals whom U.S. authorities say have committed serious offences.
The updated list increases the number of Nigerians facing deportation under this register, which federal immigration authorities have made public.
