U.S. Immigration Enforcement Intensifies: Thousands from Nigeria, Mauritania, and Senegal Affected

Nigeria has been ranked as the third-highest African nation for deportations from the United States between 2020 and 2025, according to newly released data.

Within this five-year span, 437 Nigerians were deported from the U.S., based on figures published by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and reported by Vanguard.

Senegal topped the list, followed by Mauritania in second place.

Most deportations involved individuals with criminal convictions or those who had been issued final removal orders by immigration judges.

ICE, through its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) unit and under the authority of Title 8 of the United States Code, is responsible for detaining and removing non-citizens facing final deportation orders.

The report underscores the persistent challenges faced by former President Donald Trump’s administration in handling cases related to non-citizens with criminal backgrounds.

Here’s the breakdown of the top African countries by deportation numbers from 2020 to 2025:

• Senegal – 689

• Mauritania – 481

• Nigeria – 437

• Egypt – 387

• Ghana – 276

• Angola – 227

• Cameroon – 166

• Guinea – 162

• Somalia – 154

• Kenya – 131

Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Trump administration also revoked the visas of hundreds of international students, forcing many to leave the United States within days.