The U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians facing deportation from the country.
This comes after their arrest by immigration authorities in connection with various criminal offences.
The 24 Nigerians facing deportation from the U.S were arrested in different parts of the country by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Alleged offences
The offences linked to the cases include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations, and child cruelty. Fraud-related allegations appear most often.
DHS said the publication is meant to spotlight non-citizens with criminal records who were apprehended by immigration enforcement. The department said the Trump administration’s mass deportations start with “the worst of the worst.”
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the department said.
It added: “Under DHS 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 – including the illegal aliens you see here.”
Full list of 24 Nigerians facing deportation from the U.S
The list released by DHS identifies the Nigerian nationals, the offences associated with their arrests and the locations where they were apprehended.
1. Emmanuel Omowaiye
Offence: Mail fraud
Arrest location: Richmond, Texas
2. Laurene Onwuka
Offences: Fraud and impersonation
Arrest location: Chantilly, Virginia
3. Olusegun Shonekan
Offence: Wire fraud
Arrest location: Newark, New Jersey
4. Olusegun Olaseni
Offence: Amphetamine sale
Arrest location: Greencastle, Indiana
5. Peter Ude
Offence: Wire fraud
Arrest location: Atlanta, Georgia
6. Newton Jemide
Offences: Wire fraud, conspiracy, and mail fraud
Arrest location: Fort Dix, New Jersey
7. Shedrack Umukoro
Offence: Money laundering
Arrest location: Yazoo City, Mississippi
8. Olasoji Akinbode
Offences: Fraud and impersonation
Arrest location: Kearny, New Jersey
9. Oluwatosin Afolabi
Offence: Fraud
Arrest location: Conroe, Texas
10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi
Offence: Drug possession
Arrest location: Chicago, Illinois
11. Joshua Ipoade
Offence: Wire fraud
Arrest location: Atlanta, Georgia
12. Michael Orji
Offences: Weapons offence, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering
Arrest location: Oxford, Wisconsin
13. Ahmadu Apooyin
Offence: Drug-related offence
Arrest location: Baltimore, Maryland
14. Teslim Kiriji
Offence: Money laundering
Arrest location: Yazoo City, Mississippi
15. Onomen Uduebor
Offence: Identity theft
Arrest location: Seattle, Washington
16. Charles Ochi
Offence: Money laundering
Arrest location: White Deer, Pennsylvania
17. Daniel Eta
Offence: Wire fraud
Arrest location: White Deer, Pennsylvania
18. Ifeanyi Ibennah
Offence: Cruelty towards a child
Arrest location: Tampa, Florida
19. Kazeem Runsewe
Offence: Wire fraud
Arrest location: Thomson, Illinois
20. Fatiu Lawal
Offence: Wire fraud
Arrest location: Lompoc, California
21. Justin Akubueze
Offence: Money laundering
Arrest location: Orem, Utah
22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo
Offences: Larceny, forgery, and concealing stolen property
Arrest location: Orlando, Florida
23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi
Offence: Assault
Arrest location: Alden, New York
24. Bright Eigbedion
Offence: Money laundering
Arrest location: Lompoc, California
The announcement comes amid continued efforts by the US administration to remove non-citizens considered priorities for immigration enforcement.
This is the latest in a series of DHS publications naming Nigerians. In July, the department published the names and photos of 124 Nigerians slated for deportation. A later batch of 10 followed, with no deportation timeline given. In September, DHS reportedly reduced the list to 112 names. Earlier in the year, 18 Nigerians were added to 79 already listed, bringing that tally to 97.
However, the DHS announcement does not provide detailed information about the final immigration status or deportation proceedings of each individual. Being named on the list should therefore not, by itself, be taken as confirmation that a person has already been deported.
