Nigerian migrants: I no longer attend church for fear of arrest in the U.S.

DDM News

The recent surge in deportation efforts under President Donald Trump has forced many Nigerian migrants in the United States to conceal their whereabouts.

This has severely limited their daily activities to avoid being detained and deported.

Since Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President, his administration swiftly implemented harsh immigration policies.

These policies have placed thousands of undocumented Nigerians in constant fear.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) revailed that data from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicates that roughly 3,690 Nigerians are facing deportation.

The report, “Non-citizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,” revealed that, as of November 24, 2024, over 1.4 million non-citizens had pending deportation orders.

Countries such as Mexico and El Salvador are leading the list, with Nigeria making up a significant portion.

Trump’s executive orders, issued immediately after his swearing-in, introduced controversial measures. These include ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.

The reality of mass deportations was confirmed by Trump’s Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt. She shared via X that the “largest deportation operation in US history is underway.”

For many Nigerian migrants, the threat of deportation is a constant concern.

In interviews with Diaspora digital media (DDM), several undocumented Nigerians spoke anonymously to avoid exposing their identities. One Nigerian man, residing in Tampa, Florida, explained that the threat of arrest has led him to stop going to work altogether.

“Since Trump’s policies took effect, some of us have chosen to stay home.”

ICE can raid workplaces at any moment, he added.

The fear of being detained has even altered his religious practices.

“I don’t go to church anymore because it’s possible to be arrested there.

“For now, the only safe place is inside your house—stay indoors,” he confessed.

Despite these difficulties, he remains hopeful that the lawsuits against Trump’s policies will bring an end to the harsh crackdown.

“We survived Obama’s deportation actions; we will survive this one as well,” he added.

Another Nigerian migrant living in Columbus, Ohio, shared a similar story. He said that his movements have become far more cautious.

“Trump’s war on illegal immigrants has severely limited our freedom.”

Now, everyone is careful where they go. “It’s like a rat watching for a cat before stepping out,” he said.

Returning to Nigeria is not an option for many, despite the precarious situation they face.

“Going back to Nigeria isn’t an option—not when millions of people are leaving due to hardship and insecurity.”

The conditions here, though tough, are still better than what I would face back home, explained one Nigerian migrant.

The journey to legalizing their stay has been both financially draining and emotionally taxing for many.

One man, who migrated to the U.S. in 2013, shared his unsuccessful attempts at securing residency.

“I’ve been trying to get my papers since I arrived. I’ve lost close to $30,000 through fake marriage schemes and other scams,” he said.

His attempts to apply for asylum were unsuccessful due to legal challenges surrounding his long period of undocumented status.

“I wanted to apply for asylum, but I was advised against it because I had been here illegally for over three years,” he added.

Now, he survives through under-the-table jobs.

The fear of arrest has extended to religious gatherings, with many Nigerian churches advising undocumented migrants to worship online instead of attending in person. A Nigerian lawyer living in the U.S. confirmed this.

“Some people have gone underground.”

Nigerian churches are urging undocumented members to attend services online to avoid being caught.

In New York, Uber driver Mathew noted that many of his Nigerian colleagues have also refrained from working due to fear of deportation.

“A lot of my Nigerian colleagues aren’t coming out right now. They just can’t risk it,” he shared.

A Nigerian journalist living in the U.S. provided a broader perspective on why so many Nigerians migrate to the U.S. in the first place.

“If they asked all of us to leave, we’d have no choice but to go.”

It’s their country.

“But if Nigeria were a better place, no one would have left in the first place,” he said.

He pointed to Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with poor governance, economic challenges, and insecurity.

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