Fear has gripped Nigerians living in the United States as intensified immigration raids under President Donald Trump’s administration force many into hiding or secret return home.
Some Nigerians in the United States have reportedly gone into hiding, while others are quietly returning home, following an intensified deportation campaign led by President Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Saturday PUNCH learnt that the development has disrupted daily life for many immigrants, with several reportedly avoiding public spaces and workplaces as enforcement activities escalate.
Findings showed that many immigrants have stopped going to work after Trump reiterated his backing for ICE’s sweeping operations, which include house-to-house enforcement raids. The actions have sparked panic, debate and protests across parts of the US, particularly in the wake of several high-profile deadly incidents involving federal immigration officers.
Trump had kick-started the aggressive immigration policy immediately after his inauguration in January 2025, directing the arrest and removal of undocumented immigrants. However, the policy has drawn widespread criticism both within the US and internationally over what critics describe as the cruelty of ICE operations. Nigerians who spoke to Saturday PUNCH from the US said many of their compatriots had abandoned their jobs, while others were secretly making their way back to Nigeria to avoid arrest.