Mercy Okpe LAGOS –
The United States will deport Nigerians to Lagos, according to US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr. The initial deportees will include individuals currently serving prison sentences in the US.
“Those to be repatriated would be dropped in Lagos,” Mills stated, explaining that Lagos would be the designated arrival point for deportees. He clarified that the first group would consist of “convicted prisoners” who have committed crimes and are currently incarcerated in US prisons. This group will also include individuals who have violated US immigration laws, had their appeals denied, and are under orders to leave the country.
Mills emphasized the US’s commitment to “dignified returns” under the new administration. He raised concerns about the welfare of the deportees, noting that approximately 201 Nigerian nationals are currently in US immigration camps, with about 85 already cleared for deportation.
The Ambassador questioned whether these individuals would be given adequate time to manage their assets before being deported. He acknowledged the potential hardship for deportees, particularly those who have not committed violent crimes, and the impact on their families in Nigeria who rely on them for financial support, including children whose school fees are paid by diaspora remittances. He stressed the need to address the concerns of both Nigerian nationals in the US and their families in Nigeria regarding the repatriation process.
