*Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, expresses serious concerns about the situation of affected Nigerians in the United States immigration camps, and their dependents back home, urging the US Government also to clarify the latest visa policy vis-脿-vis its likely impact on citizens genuinely seeking to visit the American country

*Nigerian marked for deportation 鈥榳ould be dropped in Lagos,鈥� says US Ambassador 聽

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The United States (US) Government has intensified its mass deportation drive as the American country’s have listed 201 Nigerians for deportation.

绿帽献妻 reports US President Donald Trump’s administration has as its core immigration policy the crackdown on illegal immigration in the country.

It was learnt among the listed and camped Nigerians to be deported soonest are convicted prisoners, and others who committed different crimes.

Scores of Nigerians and other nationals at the US Immigration Camp聽 聽 聽 聽Photo: Shutterstock

Analysts opined the US Government’s fresh immigration policy may not be unconnected with The comment came the recent suspension of the Drop Box Visa System, which could make it harder for Nigerians to apply for US visas.

Increasing anxiety among Nigerians and families of affected imminent deportees

Speaking on the current issues of concern and public discourse, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, also hinted at the development when Richard Mills, US Ambassador to Nigeria, visited her in Abuja, FCT.

Magnus Eze, Special Assistant to the Minister on Communication and New Media, in a statement, noted Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu acknowledged the emerging scenario in the US and said: “At the moment, we鈥檙e told that about 201 Nigerian nationals are in US immigration camps, and about 85 have been cleared for deportation.

“Will there be any way of ameliorating their pains?鈥� Bianca said, calling for a dignified repatriation.”

The Minister stated: “This has been of great concern to not just Nigerian nationals in the US but family members in Nigeria who depend on them for survival, children whose school fees are paid for by these Diasporans.鈥�

She also stated: 鈥淲e are asking as a country whether they will be given ample time to handle their assets or will they just be bundled into planes and repatriated?

“It will really be traumatic, especially for those who have not committed any violent crime.鈥�

US new visa policy and student visa regulation

Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu, however, urged the US Government to clarify its stance on the new visa policy, and to consider the impact it could have on Nigerians seeking to visit the US for genuine reasons.

The Minister as well expressed worries about the potential changes to the US student visa policy, with over 14,000 Nigerian students currently in the US.

Besides these concerns, she touched on the uncertainty surrounding the future of the United States for International Development (USAID) operations in Nigeria.

Confusion among NGOs in Nigeria and entire African continent

The Minister of Stated for Foreign Affairs solicited assurances that Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) would continue despite any potential changes.

Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu said: “We can鈥檛 say whether it鈥檚 outright suspension. A lot of NGOs are worried about getting clarifications.

“We will just make that appeal on behalf of the NGOs in Nigeria, even less than a month into the 90-day review, there have been concerns.

“And I know before the completion of the review, there are already humanitarian issues in Nigeria and Africa.

鈥淲e will make an appeal that this initiative be preserved, even if it鈥檚 abrogated as an agency, there must be a way of keeping the ideals to ensure that the poor beneficiaries in the communities, not just in Nigeria but Africa, are not abandoned.鈥�

US Ambassador: Nigerians to be deported ‘would be dropped in Lagos’

In regard to certain issues the Minister raised, Ambassador Mills assured that the US Government would make its position clear, particularly regarding the Drop Box Visa System and the future of USAID in due course.

The envoy said: 鈥淭hose to be repatriated would be dropped in Lagos.

“There wouldn鈥檛 be room for whether it should be in Port Harcourt or Abuja. The first group will be convicted prisoners.”

He also noted: “Those who committed crimes and are in US prisons. Some of them are those who have clearly violated US immigration laws.

“They appealed but were denied yet they are still in the US.

“They have committed immigration crime, people who have been ordered to leave.鈥�

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