This has forced some Nigerians off the streets, out of their jobs, and, in some cases, back to Nigeria through quiet, self-arranged departures, while some go into hiding.
Anxiety has reportedly spread through Nigerian immigrant communities across the United States as an aggressive immigration enforcement drive under President Donald Trump’s administration deepens.
This has forced some Nigerians off the streets, out of their jobs, and, in some cases, back to Nigeria through quiet, self-arranged departures, while some go into hiding.
Heightened raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including door-to-door operations, have disrupted daily life for many immigrants, with reports of Nigerians avoiding work, limiting movement, and relying on informal or home-based businesses to survive, according to PUNCH.
President Trump began a renewed push to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants shortly after his inauguration in January 2025.
The policy, which he has repeatedly defended, has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups and immigrant advocates, who accuse ICE of excessive force and inhumane treatment of detainees.
The enforcement actions have been accompanied by deadly incidents.
Official data showed that at least 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025, making it the deadliest year for immigration detention deaths in more than two decades.
In 2026 alone, the Guardian of the UK reported that no fewer than eight people have died during encounters involving ICE officers.
Recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis, Minnesota, have further heightened fear.
Public outrage followed the death of Renée Good, 37, who was shot by an ICE agent on January 7 during an enforcement operation.
A medical examiner later ruled her death a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds. Weeks later, on January 24, 37-year-old Alex Pretti was also shot and killed during a federal immigration operation in the same city.
Since the crackdown began, reports estimate that about 70,000 people have been detained by ICE, while roughly 540,000 immigrants have been deported to their countries of origin.
Sources from different parts of the U.S. said the climate of fear has pushed some Nigerians to abandon regular employment, while others are making discreet plans to return home.
The human toll of the raids has played out on social media.
A Nigerian woman reportedly broke down in tears as she described the panic and grief among immigrants, saying she was traumatised by the killing of Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
According to her, ICE agents showed little regard for legal status during operations.
“It is very traumatising the way these (ICE) people are treating immigrants,” PUNCH quoted her as saying.
“President Trump, if you want the immigrants to leave America, tell us. Just come out and say, ‘All immigrants, we want you out, whether you are criminal or not.’”
She added, “These (ICE) people don’t even care. There are a lot of immigrants who are treated like animals, and these people will be telling them, ‘we are citizens’, but they don’t care.”
The woman, who asked to be identified as senior Immigrant, said that the fear of arrest had pushed many Nigerians into online trading and home-based work.
She cited the case of a shop assistant who stopped reporting to work in mid-December and another family that left factory jobs after ICE activity in their area.
“My girl, who was working with me in my shop, stopped coming in mid-December. The reason was that she was scared for her life because ICE came to my area,” she said.
“The most unfortunate thing was that they came to her area in New Jersey. Since then, she has had anxiety and fear.”
“People are staying indoors because of the fear of ICE. They get family support from those who work,” she added.
“Two weeks ago, someone called me to say that they were donating to support some families, and they requested that I contribute, which I did.”
According to her, some families now sell goods from home, while others cook meals for online orders that customers pick up privately.
“There are many people with other serious experiences,” she said.
The President of the Nigerian community in the State of Maryland, Mrs Chris Ademiluyi, confirmed that many Nigerians had chosen to go into hiding rather than return to Nigeria.
“They are in hiding instead. Nigeria is not any better,” Ademiluyi said. “Some people affected may want to talk anonymously, but they are not talking because of fear.”
She noted that Nigerian-Americans were largely shielded, adding that community organisations were offering support where possible.
The issue has also stirred debate among Nigerians online.
The Lead Pastor of Lighthouse/Rejuvenation Church in Rosenberg, Texas, Shola Adeoye, warned in a Facebook post that fear-driven decisions could have lasting consequences.
“Some Nigerians are moving back home due to fear of this administration. It’s not wise to bury yourself before death,” Adeoye wrote.
The post drew mixed reactions. A Facebook user, Ben Ijeh, commented, “Whoever that leaves involuntarily by ICE is not psychologically likely to want to come back in the future. The trauma will be too much to bear. God will always make a way for His own.”
Another user, Olukunle Durodolu, wrote, “The way ICE agents capture people could be scary; they may not have the opportunity to get themselves together. So, it is preferred to time their return home when they can control themselves.”
Beyond enforcement raids, policy changes have compounded the pressure.
The Executive Director of the Nigerian Center, a non-profit immigration and cultural organisation based in Washington, DC, Mr Gbenga Ogunjimi, said the group had recorded a surge in Nigerians seeking help.
He described the situation as “multi-layered,” pointing to visa restrictions and broader policy shifts.
“The problem we are facing is multi-layered. There is a visa ban,” Ogunjimi said. “Before the visa ban, Nigeria was designated as a Country of Particular Concern. That was last year.”
He explained that in December 2025, the administration imposed a partial ban, suspending most visa categories, including non-immigrant visas.
“What they did not tell those of us in America or Nigerians in America is that the ban will also stop their ability to file for citizenship, green cards, work authorisation, asylum, and things like that,” he said.
According to Ogunjimi, the Nigerian Center has focused on public education and guidance.
“If you go to our website and social media, we put out a policy memo, educating people on the parameters of this ban,” he said. “We’re just giving information to folks.”
It was gathered that an increasing number of immigrants are considering voluntary departure. Ogunjimi confirmed that self-deportation is becoming more common.
“We’ve seen cases where a lot of people are self-deporting right now,” he said. “Some of them asked if they would be able to come back to the US if they leave.”
He added that in some cases, his organisation advises immigrants not to leave hastily.
“They probably came here on a visiting visa… maybe they have overstayed for a couple of days,” he said, noting that waivers may still be possible.
On exact figures, Ogunjimi reportedly said, “Do I have numbers of those who have actually gone back, and who have taken the advice? The answer is: I don’t know. I don’t have those numbers.”
As enforcement continues, uncertainty remains the defining reality for many Nigerians in the U.S., torn between fear of arrest abroad and the harsh economic and security conditions waiting at home.