US Publishes Names and Photos of 124 Nigerians on DHS ‘Worst of the Worst’ Deportation List as Trump Intensifies Immigration Crackdown

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 124 Nigerian nationals on its “Worst of the Worst” deportation register, identifying them as convicted criminal non-citizens targeted for removal under President Donald Trump’s expanded immigration enforcement campaign.

The list, published on the official DHS website, forms part of the administration’s nationwide mass deportation initiative, which prioritises the removal of non-citizens convicted of serious criminal offences.

In a statement accompanying the publication, the DHS said its officers were carrying out President Trump’s directive to remove individuals considered the greatest threat to public safety.

«”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,” the department stated.»

Among the Nigerians named on the list are Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Marcus Unigwe, Ejike Asiegbunam, Bamidele Bolatiwa, Chibundu Anuebunwa, Joshua Ineh, Bolarinwa Salau, Oludayo Adeagbo, Jelili Qudus, Abayomi Daramola, Isaiah Okere, Olusegun Martins, Kingsley Ariegwe, Christian Ogunghide, Christopher Ojuma, Patrick Onogwu, Olajide Olateru-Olagbegi, Bernard Ogie Oretekor, Chukwuemeka Okorie, Dennis Ofuoma, Ifeanyi Okoro, Olumide Bankole Morakinyo and dozens of other Nigerian nationals.

According to the DHS, every individual on the register has been convicted of criminal offences. However, the agency did not disclose the specific crimes committed by each person, indicate whether any appeals remain pending, or provide timelines for their deportation.

The publication marks one of the most visible phases of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, with the identities and photographs of convicted non-citizens displayed publicly as part of what officials describe as a transparency initiative highlighting deportation priorities.

The latest update follows an earlier DHS publication involving approximately 79 Nigerians earlier in 2026. The agency’s register includes nationals from several countries, with Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and other nations accounting for some of the largest numbers of deportation cases.

The development comes amid growing immigration tensions between Washington and Abuja. In June 2026, the United States imposed partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity management, visa overstays, information sharing and security screening procedures.

In response, Nigeria has moved to strengthen its national identity system following President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the NIMC Act 2026, legislation aimed at improving digital identity infrastructure and enhancing international cooperation on identity verification.

The latest deportation list also comes weeks after the brief detention of Nigerian Catholic nun Sister Leticia Ugboaja by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Texas. She was later released after the incident attracted widespread public attention.

Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest diaspora populations in the United States, with millions of citizens living, studying and working across states including Texas, Maryland, Georgia and New York. The Nigerian diaspora contributes more than $20 billion annually in remittances, making it one of the country’s most important sources of foreign exchange.

Although the 124 individuals identified by DHS have criminal convictions, immigration lawyers say the broader enforcement environment has increased anxiety among many law-abiding Nigerian residents, students and professionals who fear heightened scrutiny during immigration processes and visa renewals.

Experts have advised Nigerians living in the United States to ensure their immigration documents remain up to date, understand their legal rights during encounters with immigration authorities and seek legal assistance where necessary. They also recommend maintaining contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions for consular support.

As the Trump administration continues to expand its immigration enforcement agenda, the publication of the latest deportation register is expected to fuel renewed debate over border security, public safety and the future of U.S.-Nigeria immigration relations.