DHS says Nigerians face removal after convictions for fraud, drug offences, violent crimes and other serious violations amid renewed ICE crackdown.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport at least 79 Nigerians identified on what it describes as its “worst of the worst” criminal aliens list.

Information published on the DHS website on Monday indicates that the affected Nigerians were convicted of a wide range of offences, including fraud, drug trafficking, assault, manslaughter, robbery and other related crimes.

According to DHS, the individuals were apprehended during an intensified nationwide enforcement operation targeting criminal immigrants across the United States. The agency said the arrests were carried out by officers of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of a renewed deportation drive.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” the statement said.

It added that, under the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, DHS and ICE officials are implementing President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda by prioritising the removal of undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes.

“Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst,” the statement noted.

The list released by DHS contains dozens of Nigerian names, including Boluwaji Akingunsoye, Ejike Asiegbunam, Emmanuel Mayegun Adeola, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Ifeanyi Nwaozomudoh, Aderemi Akefe, Solomon Wilfred, Chibundu Anuebunwa, Joshua Ineh, Usman Momoh, Oluwole Odunowo, Bolarinwa Salau and Oriyomi Aloba, among others.

Further names include Oludayo Adeagbo, Olaniyi Akintuyi, Talatu Dada, Olatunde Oladinni, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Toluwani Adebakin, Olamide Jolayemi, Isaiah Okere, Benji Macaulay and Joseph Ogbara.

Others listed are Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Olugbenga Abass, Oyewole Balogun, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Olamide Adedipe, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi and Omotayo Akinto.

The list also includes Kenneth Unanka, Jeremiah Ehis, Oluwafemi Orimolade, Ayibatonye Bienzigha, Uche Diuno, Akinwale Adaramaja, Boluwatife Afolabi, Chinonso Ochie, Olayinka A. Jones, Theophilus Anwana, Aishatu Umaru and Henry Idiagbonya.

Additional names published by DHS are Okechukwu Okoronkwo, Daro Kosin, Sakiru Ambali, Kamaludeen Giwa, Cyril Odogwu, Ifeanyi Echigeme, Kingsley Ibhadore, Suraj Tairu, Peter Equere, Dasola Abdulraheem, Adewale Aladekoba and Akeem Adeleke.

Others include Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Abiemwense Obanor, Olufemi Olufisayo Olutiola, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Abimbola Esan, Elizabeth Miller, Chima Orji, Adetunji Olofinlade, Abdul Akinsanya, Elizabeth Adeshewo, Dennis Ofuoma, Quazeem Adeyinka, Ifeanyi Okoro, Oluwaseun Kassim, Olumide Bankole Morakinyo, Abraham Ola Osoko, Oluchi Jennifer and Chibuzo Nwaonu.

The Trump administration has sustained an aggressive stance against illegal and criminal immigration, with ICE leading large-scale enforcement operations across several states. Reports indicate that the renewed raids have unsettled immigrant communities, with some Nigerians allegedly going into hiding while others are quietly returning to Nigeria.

The enforcement actions, including reported house-to-house raids, have sparked fear, controversy and protests in parts of the United States, particularly following a series of high-profile encounters between federal immigration officers and immigrant communities.