A coalition of Nigerian civil society organizations has strongly criticized the United States for its ongoing mass deportations of African immigrants. The group, known as Human Rights Monitors (HRM), called the policy discriminatory, unjust, and a serious breach of human rights. They have urged the Nigerian government, along with other African nations, to act quickly to safeguard their citizens overseas.
The HRM coalition expressed their concerns at a press conference in Abuja, highlighting the disturbing trend of forced deportations and the global neglect of African migrant rights. Key figures in the movement included Armsfree Ajanaku, Convener of the Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation, Austin Aigbe of the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), and representatives from other organizations such as CESDA, CESPAD, and the 21st Century Empowerment for Youth and Women.
Ajanaku condemned the ongoing actions, stating that the world is retreating from its responsibility to protect migrant rights, especially for Africans. He pointed out that it was deeply troubling for a nation like the United States, which portrays itself as a champion of democracy, to lead such a damaging trend. Since January 2025, the U.S. has increased home raids, family separations, detentions, and deportations of immigrants, including those with pending asylum requests or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Many deported individuals have been denied due process, and children have been forced to witness the removal of their parents.
Aigbe further highlighted the psychological and social consequences of the deportations, noting how families are torn apart and immigrants are treated unfairly for simply seeking refuge from violence and instability. Reports from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also show an increase in racial profiling and mass arrests under this immigration crackdown.
The coalition emphasized that these actions violate international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the 1951 Refugee Convention. They also argue that the U.S. is disregarding its own laws, particularly the Refugee Act of 1980, and violating the principle of non-refoulement, which forbids the forced return of refugees to countries where they face danger.
Aside from the legal violations, the group stressed the economic repercussions of these deportations for Nigeria. In 2020, Nigerians in the diaspora sent over $6 billion in remittances back home. Deporting thousands of Nigerians would disrupt families, harm the economy, and negatively impact national development. The HRM coalition urged the Nigerian government to take immediate diplomatic and humanitarian action to address the crisis and put in place emergency support mechanisms for its citizens abroad.
The coalition also pointed to the root causes of irregular migration, including poor governance, insecurity, and lack of opportunities in African countries. They called for a stronger commitment to addressing these issues locally so that fewer people would be forced to risk their lives seeking better prospects abroad.
In closing, the coalition expressed support for the African Union’s 2025 theme, “Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” and pledged to advocate for education, awareness, and reparative justice as vital steps toward sustainable change. Ajanaku concluded by stressing that the current deportation crisis is not just a policy error but a humanitarian emergency that demands immediate action.
