The Federal Government has urged the United States to adopt a humane approach in deporting Nigerians, stressing the emotional and financial toll such actions have on individuals and their families.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal during a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills Jr., highlighting concerns over the treatment of deportees and the broader implications of U.S. immigration policies.

“With about 201 Nigerians currently detained in U.S. immigration centers and approximately 85 cleared for deportation, we are pushing for a process that respects their dignity,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated in a press release signed by her media aide, Magnus Eze, on Sunday.

Many Nigerians in the U.S. are the financial backbone of their families back home, sending vital remittances that fund education, healthcare, and daily survival. Abrupt deportations, particularly for those without a history of violent crime, not only disrupt lives but also destabilize families.

“We are asking whether these individuals will be given ample time to handle their assets or if they will simply be bundled into planes and repatriated,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu questioned.

Beyond deportations, the minister also expressed concern over speculation that the U.S. might suspend the Drop Box Visa System—a process that allows Nigerians to renew visas without undergoing in-person interviews.

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Thousands of Nigerians rely on this system for business, education, and family visits, and uncertainty surrounding its future has caused growing anxiety.

In response, Ambassador Mills reassured that the Drop Box Visa System remains in place but acknowledged that a policy review was ongoing.

“Some of these changes are being evaluated as part of a broader review by the new administration,” Mills explained, seeking to calm fears among frequent Nigerian travelers.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also raised concerns about the fate of Nigerian students in the U.S. Many of the 14,000 Nigerian students studying in America rely on financial support from home, and any changes in visa policies could jeopardize their education.

Additionally, she voiced worries over the ongoing review of USAID programs, which play a crucial role in humanitarian efforts across Nigeria. A potential reduction in aid, she warned, would disproportionately impact vulnerable communities.

“We don’t yet know whether this is a suspension or a complete overhaul. NGOs are worried, and we appeal for clarity,” she said.

Recognizing the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria and Africa at large, she urged the U.S. to maintain its support for aid programs, ensuring that poor communities are not left behind.

Ambassador Mills clarified that deportations would primarily involve individuals convicted of crimes or those who had violated U.S. immigration laws.

“The first group will be convicted prisoners—those who committed crimes and are in U.S. prisons. Others are individuals who have clearly violated immigration laws, exhausted their appeals, and remained in the country illegally,” Mills stated.

He confirmed that deportees would be returned to Lagos, ruling out deportation to other Nigerian cities like Abuja or Port Harcourt.

The meeting comes amid a wave of immigration crackdowns following Donald Trump’s return to office as the 47th President of the United States. On his first day back, Trump signed executive orders tightening immigration policies.

As these policies unfold, Nigeria is pushing to ensure that its citizens—whether students, workers, or detainees—are treated with fairness and dignity.

With thousands of families affected by these shifts, the call for a humane and transparent process is more urgent than ever.