Nimi Wariboko, a Professor of Social Ethics at Boston University, has expressed concern over the heightened crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the United States, which he says has created a pervasive sense of fear among Nigerians living in the country. Speaking virtually from the U.S. on the Friday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program on Channels Television, Wariboko described the anxiety felt within the Nigerian community just weeks after Donald Trump resumed office.
“There are a significant number of Nigerians here who lack proper documentation, and they are understandably worried,” Wariboko stated. “Community leaders and pastors are particularly concerned about the fate of these individuals. Will they face deportation?”
He noted that some Nigerians are living in hiding, fearing raids by immigration authorities. “There is that palpable fear; they are fearful and angry, and they do not know what will happen next. If you have a conflict with your neighbors, they might alert immigration enforcement.”
Trump, who began his second term on January 20, 2025, has promised to deport “criminal aliens” who entered the U.S. illegally. Recently, mass raids have been conducted in various locations, including homes, schools, and workplaces, resulting in the deportation of undocumented immigrants to countries such as India and Guatemala.
Reactions to Trump’s immigration policies have been mixed, with some applauding his actions while others criticize them. Wariboko highlighted the frustration of undocumented Nigerian immigrants toward their fellow Nigerians back home, expressing anger over a perceived lack of compassion. “They are saying that if this great replacement occurs, they will be sent back home. Do we have jobs to absorb them?” he asked.
He further warned that even legal immigrants and U.S. citizens of Nigerian descent could be at risk due to potential changes in birthright citizenship laws. Wariboko urged the Nigerian government to advocate for its citizens in the U.S., noting that immigration policies leading to deportation could have a detrimental impact on the Nigerian economy, as many Nigerians abroad contribute significantly through remittances.
According to the World Bank, remittances from Nigerians living overseas reached $20 billion in 2023. Wariboko emphasized the importance of recognizing this financial support, stating, “Even if you don’t like us, people in the U.S. send billions of dollars home each year to sustain their families and the Nigerian economy. If policies threaten this economic lifeline, Nigeria should defend its citizens; it is in the national interest.”
The current immigration enforcement actions echo Trump’s earlier policies during his first term when Nigeria was added to a list of countries facing entry restrictions due to non-compliance with identity management and information-sharing criteria. As of 2015, approximately 376,000 Nigerian immigrants resided in the United States, making Nigeria the largest source of African immigration to the country. Many Nigerian youths and middle-class individuals seek opportunities in the U.S., contributing to the country’s significant diaspora — a group that sends more than $20 billion annually back to Nigeria, according to the World Bank’s 2023 data.
