Three Nigerians have been deported from the United States after being charged with various crimes.
Their removal is part of a broader move by the U.S. government to deport at least 3,000 Nigerians involved in criminal activities across the country.
The deportees arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday, May 14, aboard a Delta Airlines flight that landed just before 9 a.m. They were received by officials from several Nigerian government agencies, who will determine the next steps.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, the U.S. adopted stricter immigration policies aimed at increasing deportations. Within his first 100 days in office, Trump ramped up immigration enforcement, including arrests outside schools and courthouses.
He also signed an order directing the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to identify so-called “sanctuary cities” that were not fully cooperating with federal deportation efforts.