The Federal Government (FG) has affirmed that Nigerians deported from the United States are welcome to return to their homeland.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the Director of Media and Corporate Affairs at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, emphasized that the FG is prepared to handle the situation should deportations occur, Diaspora digital media (DDM) reports.
He noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is primarily responsible for such developments and has taken proactive steps to manage any potential mass deportation.
According to Balogun, the FG has already established an inter-agency committee to coordinate efforts related to the matter.
This committee includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
Their role is to ensure that any returning Nigerians receive the necessary support and reintegration assistance.
“The FG has put in place a committee comprising key agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the NSA’s office to address any situation that may arise if Nigerians are deported from the US in large numbers,” Balogun stated.
Despite these preparations, NiDCOM clarified that, at present, it has no official information confirming that Nigerians in the US are currently being processed for deportation.
However, the FG remains vigilant and ready to respond should the situation escalate.
It is important to recall that about 3,690 Nigerians in the US face the risk of deportation following stricter immigration enforcement policies under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The FG has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that affected citizens are treated with dignity and given necessary support upon their return.
While concerns persist regarding the fate of these individuals, the FG assures Nigerians that it will continue to engage with relevant authorities to protect the rights of its citizens abroad.