Growing fear and uncertainty have gripped Nigerian immigrants in the United States following intensified enforcement actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under President Donald Trump’s administration, with reports indicating that some Nigerians are now going into hiding while others quietly return home.
Panic as ICE Raids Intensify
According to reports by Saturday PUNCH, the renewed immigration crackdown has triggered widespread panic among undocumented immigrants, particularly after a series of deadly incidents involving ICE officers. Many Nigerians are said to have stopped going to work, fearing house-to-house raids and sudden arrests.
Akahi News gathered that the enforcement drive, which began shortly after President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, is aimed at the immediate arrest and deportation of illegal immigrants. However, critics have described the operations as excessively harsh, especially in light of fatalities linked to ICE activities.
Deaths in Custody Raise Alarm
Data cited in the report indicate that at least 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025, making it the deadliest year in more than two decades for immigration detention-related deaths. The UK’s Guardian reportedly noted that in 2026 alone, no fewer than eight people have died during interactions involving ICE agents.
Two recent cases that intensified anxiety include the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during separate enforcement operations in January 2026. Medical examiners reportedly ruled Good’s death a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds.
Nigerians Share Lived Experiences
A Nigerian woman, identified as a senior immigrant, recounted how fear of ICE raids has disrupted livelihoods. Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, she said many Nigerians had abandoned factory qand shop jobs, turning instead to home-based and online businesses to survive.
“People are staying indoors because of the fear of ICE,” she reportedly said, adding that families now rely on community donations and small-scale home enterprises after stopping regular work.
A viral Instagram video showing the woman in tears captured the emotional toll of the raids, as she lamented what she described as indiscriminate treatment of immigrants, including those claiming US citizenship.
Community Leaders React
Corroborating these accounts, the President of the Nigerian Community in Maryland, Mrs Chris Ademiluyi, said many Nigerians had opted to go into hiding rather than return to Nigeria, citing the country’s economic and security challenges.
“They are in hiding instead. Nigeria is not any better,” she reportedly said, noting that fear had prevented many affected individuals from speaking publicly.
Meanwhile, the Lead Pastor of Lighthouse/Rejuvenation Church in Rosenberg, Texas, Shola Adeoye, warned on social media that Nigerians were leaving the US due to fear, advising against what he described as panic-driven decisions.
Visa Restrictions Add to Pressure
Beyond enforcement raids, Nigerian immigrants are also grappling with visa restrictions. The Executive Director of the Nigerian Center, a Washington DC–based non-profit organisation, Mr Gbenga Ogunjimi, said Nigeria had been designated a Country of Particular Concern before being placed under a partial visa ban in December 2025.
He explained that the restrictions affected access to visas, work authorisation, asylum, and even pathways to citizenship and green cards. According to him, many Nigerians are now weighing the option of self-deportation, while others seek legal advice to understand their status.
“We’ve seen cases where a lot of people are self-deporting right now,” Ogunjimi reportedly said, though he noted that exact figures were unavailable.
Divided Opinions at Home
Reactions among Nigerians at home have been mixed. While some argue that undocumented immigrants should return voluntarily and invest in Nigeria, others insist that migrants are better off abroad and remain vital through remittances and global connections.
Analysts say the situation underscores the complex choices facing Nigerian immigrants as immigration enforcement tightens abroad while domestic challenges persist at home.
🎓 Attend 2026 JAMB, Post-UTME, WAEC, and NECO GCE Tutorials
Get fully prepared with expert tutors, comprehensive study materials, and personalised academic guidance at Akahi Tutors.
📍 Located at 67, Oduduwa College Road, Off Sabo Junction, Ile-Ife.
📞 Call: 08038644328
for enrollment and accommodation reservation.
