There are 1,445,549 non-citizens on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders as of November 24, 2024, according to a document created by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

According to recent data released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), nearly 3,690 Nigerians in the United States are in danger of being deported as the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on illegal immigration.

There are 1,445,549 non-citizens on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders as of November 24, 2024, according to a document created by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

There are 3,690 Nigerians among them, and there are 1,454 more Nigerians in ICE custody who are awaiting deportation, making the total 5,144.

The top two countries on the list, Mexico and El Salvador, with 252,044 and 203,822 people awaiting deportation, respectively, according to the study, “Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship.”

Of the 1,454 Nigerians seized, 772 were arrested for criminal convictions or ongoing criminal charges, according to ICE data. The remaining imprisoned Nigerians were detained for immigration infractions, including overstaying their visas.

Furthermore, 884 Nigerians were deported between 2019 and 2024, and 417 were removed from the United States in 2024.

President Trump’s updated immigration enforcement tactics, which aim to remove undocumented migrants, are in line with the huge deportation operation.

In the first few days of the operation, ICE has already detained close to 3,000 people who are categorized as “criminal aliens.”

Although the first arrests were made of undocumented people with criminal histories, there are already worries that officials would soon turn their attention to undetained immigrants who have pending removal orders.
People that ICE deems removable but who are not detained are listed in a “non-detained docket.”

Those with final removal orders, however, could still be deported at any time, either through expedited removal or traditional proceedings.

In the meanwhile, immigrants who have broken immigration laws, been convicted of a crime, or do not have lawful immigration status are usually subject to a final order of removal.

While ICE works to deport people with final removal orders, a number of obstacles may hinder enforcement, the agency said in a recent statement.

The agency cited legal protections, diplomatic issues, and foreign governments’ lack of cooperation as key obstacles.

“Under U.S. law, ICE has the authority to remove non-citizens with final orders of removal issued by immigration judges or those processed under expedited removal,” the agency stated.

“However, not every individual ordered to leave the country can be immediately deported.”

Some individuals pursue legal avenues such as asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture. If granted, these protections prevent ICE from carrying out the removal order.

Furthermore, ICE pointed out that the procedure is frequently slowed down or stopped by foreign governments’ refusal to receive deported people.

ICE has been directed to increase arrest and removal efforts in spite of these obstacles.

As directed by President Trump’s administration, the agency is anticipated to raise deportations to 1,200 to 1,500 people per day.

Patrick J. Lechleitner, ICE’s deputy director, emphasized the organization’s endeavors to be open and honest about its enforcement activities.

“By releasing this data, ICE is demonstrating its commitment to openness. We will continue evaluating how to best communicate enforcement statistics and priorities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has expanded its role in immigration enforcement.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman announced that federal law enforcement agencies—including the U.S. Marshals, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Prisons—have been authorised to assist in identifying and apprehending undocumented immigrants.

“This move empowers DOJ officials to help locate and arrest individuals who have entered the country illegally.

“For too long, immigration enforcement has lacked the necessary resources. This is a major step toward fulfilling President Trump’s promise of mass deportations,” Huffman added.

https://independent.ng/over-5100-nigerians-face-deportation-after-trumps-inauguration/