The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released an updated list containing the names and photographs of 124 Nigerian nationals identified for deportation over various criminal convictions, as part of an ongoing immigration enforcement campaign targeting non-citizens with criminal records.
According to the DHS, the affected individuals are included in its public database of what it describes as the “worst of the worst” criminal offenders. The agency said the list forms part of a broader effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and remove foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes from the country.
The updated register features 124 Nigerians, an increase from previous versions of the list published earlier in the year. While the department disclosed the names and photographs of those affected, it did not provide a timeline for when each individual would be deported or release detailed information about every case.
Available U.S. court records indicate that many of those listed were convicted of offences including wire fraud, identity theft, money laundering, mail fraud, drug trafficking, robbery, assault, kidnapping, sexual offences, and other financial and violent crimes. However, not all entries on the list are accompanied by publicly available court documents detailing their convictions.
The publication of the list is part of the U.S. government’s intensified immigration enforcement policy, which prioritises the removal of non-citizens convicted of crimes. The DHS has maintained that the initiative is aimed at enhancing public safety by deporting foreign nationals considered to pose significant security risks.
The agency stated that the operation is being carried out in line with U.S. immigration laws and forms part of a wider crackdown on criminal immigrants under current federal enforcement priorities.
The latest update has drawn attention in Nigeria, where previous rounds of deportations and stricter U.S. immigration measures have sparked discussions about bilateral cooperation on immigration enforcement and the impact on affected individuals and their families.
Although the names and photographs have been made public, deportation proceedings remain subject to legal and administrative processes, including the completion of immigration reviews and coordination with the receiving country. U.S. authorities have not indicated when the 124 Nigerians will be returned.
The DHS continues to update its public database periodically as additional cases are processed through the U.S. immigration system.
