Some Nigerians living in the United States have gone into hiding, while others are quietly returning to Nigeria, following an intensified deportation campaign led by President Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Many immigrants have reportedly stopped going to work after President Trump reiterated support for aggressive ICE actions. The sweeping enforcement measures — including house-to-house raids — have sparked widespread fear, protests, and debate, especially after several high-profile fatal encounters involving federal immigration officers.
President Trump launched the renewed immigration crackdown immediately after his inauguration in January 2025, with a policy aimed at the swift arrest and removal of undocumented immigrants. The approach has drawn criticism from rights groups and members of the international community, who describe the tactics as cruel and excessive.
Nigerians speaking from the U.S. said fear has forced many of their compatriots to abandon workplaces, remain indoors, or rely on informal and online businesses to survive. Some have also begun returning to Nigeria discreetly to avoid traumatic encounters with immigration agents.
According to available records, at least 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025, making it one of the deadliest years in over two decades for detention-related deaths. In 2026 alone, multiple fatalities have already been reported in encounters involving ICE officers.
Recent incidents that intensified anxiety include the killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, both 37, who were fatally shot by ICE agents during enforcement operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in January 2026. Medical examiners ruled at least one of the deaths a homicide, further fueling outrage and fear among immigrant communities.
A Nigerian woman based in the U.S., who identified herself only as a senior immigrant, said many Nigerians now live in constant anxiety. She explained that some workers have stopped showing up entirely after ICE raids in their neighborhoods, while others have resorted to home-based trading to avoid public exposure.
“People are staying indoors because of fear. Families are supporting one another to survive. Some who worked in factories have stopped and now sell things from home,” she said.
Confirming the trend, the President of the Nigerian community in Maryland, Mrs. Chris Ademiluyi, said many Nigerians prefer hiding to returning home, citing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
“Nigeria is not any better for many of them. People are afraid and don’t even want to speak openly,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lagos-born pastor Shola Adeoye of Lighthouse/Rejuvenation Church in Rosenberg, Texas, warned on social media that fear was driving Nigerians out of the U.S., cautioning against panic-driven decisions. His comments sparked mixed reactions online, with some arguing that voluntary return was preferable to forced deportation and its psychological toll.
Adding to the pressure is a tightening of immigration opportunities. The Executive Director of the Nigerian Center, a Washington DC–based nonprofit, Mr. Gbenga Ogunjimi, said Nigerians have been severely affected by recent policy changes, including visa restrictions and broader limitations on immigration benefits.
He noted that Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern and a subsequent partial visa ban in late 2025 have restricted access not only to new visas but also to pathways such as citizenship applications, green cards, work authorization, and asylum.
As a result, the Nigerian Center has recorded a surge in people seeking guidance, with many considering self-deportation. Ogunjimi said some are being advised to carefully assess their legal options before leaving, as overstays or minor violations may still be resolved through waivers.
“People are weighing whether to stay or leave. Some are already self-deporting, while others just want to understand their options under the law,” he said.
For now, uncertainty continues to loom over Nigerian immigrants in the U.S., as fear, policy shifts, and limited opportunities reshape their lives and decisions.