International
Trump Deports First Batch of Nigerians Under New Immigration Policy
By Iyojo Ameh
The United States has deported the first group of Nigerians under President Donald Trump’s renewed crackdown on immigration, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama confirmed late Wednesday.
According to Mahama, a total of 14 deportees, including several Nigerians and one Gambian, arrived in Ghana this week after being removed from the U.
“We were approached by the U.S. to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from America. We agreed that West African nationals were acceptable,” Mahama told journalists at a press conference. “All our fellow West African nationals don’t need visas to come to Ghana.”
The move comes amid what Mahama described as a “tightening situation” in Ghana-U.S. relations, citing increased tariffs on Ghanaian goods and visa restrictions on its citizens. Despite these challenges, he stressed that ties between both countries remain positive.
Rights groups have raised concerns over the U.S. administration’s deportation strategy, arguing that it violates international protections for migrants. Nigeria has also previously rejected U.S. pressure to accept third-country deportees, warning that such practices undermine sovereignty.
The Trump administration has pursued similar arrangements with other African nations. In July, five individuals were deported to Eswatini and eight to South Sudan. Rwanda also accepted seven deportees in August under an agreement to host up to 250 migrants.
The U.S. government insists the policy is part of its broader effort to deter irregular immigration through high-profile removals and third-country transfers.
