Headline

Trump’s Immigration Crackdown: FG, US Finetune Strategies For Deportation Of 201 Nigerians

Published

9 months ago

March 14, 2025

The United State of America’s government and the Federal Government have started finetuning plans for the deportation of about 201 Nigerians already cleared for eviction from US in line with the ongoing mass deportation exercise by President Donald Trump’s administration .

The imminent deportation plans came to light today and formed part of the deliberation between the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, and US Regional Population/Refugees/Migration Coordinator, Melissa Sandoval, during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, at Abuja.

In a post on its verified X handle, the US Mission in Nigeria, said the meeting became important to finetune strategies for effective repatriations of the affected Nigerians, and to ensure that dignity of the returnees is upheld.

The US government also emphasised the importance of coordination with humanitarian partners and federal government’s oversight in the repatriation process.

Recall that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had hinted last month that no fewer than 201 Nigerians in different immigration camps in US were set to be deported.

She had explained that eight-five of them, among them convicted criminals, had been cleared and were awaiting eviction from US.

The disclosure by Odumegwu-Ojukwu followed earlier report by Vanguard that 5,144 Nigerians may be affected in the initial stage of the ongoing deportation exercises.

Vanguard analysis of data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, and Enforcement and Removal Operations, ERO, had indicated that 3,690 of the 5,144 Nigerians were in ICE non-detained docket with final orders of removal from the US, while 1,454 were in ICE detention.

Vanguard also reported that 772 out of 1,454 Nigerians in ICE custody, were arrested and detained for criminal convictions or pending criminal charges and were awaiting order for their final removal.

The US Mission in the tweet, said: “Ambassador Richard Mills and Regional Population/Refugees/Migration Coordinator Melissa Sandoval met with Minister Nentawe Yilwatda to discuss strategies for effective repatriations, underscoring the importance of transparency, coordination with humanitarian partners, and federal government oversight.

“The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the United States and Nigeria to work together in facilitating sustainable returns that uphold the dignity of returnees and contribute to a safer, stronger future for both nations.”

(VANGUARD)

Headline

US: Four Killed, 10 Others Wounded In California Shooting

Published

2 minutes ago

November 30, 2025

Editor

Four people were confirmed dead and 10 others injured after a shooting at a family gathering in California, United States on Saturday night, according to US police, who described the attack as a “targeted incident.”

The incident occurred inside a banquet hall in Stockton, northeast of San Francisco, shortly before 6:00 pm, spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Heather Brent, told reporters during a news briefing.

Brent said the victims, ranging from “juveniles to adults,” were rushed to nearby hospitals, noting that details about the shooting remained limited.

“What we have confirmed at this time is that there was a banquet hall where a family was celebrating. We have 14 victims of this shooting. Four of those are deceased,” Brent said.

“Early indications suggest that this may be a targeted incident. Investigators are exploring all possibilities at this time.”

The sheriff’s office posted on social media that detectives were “working to determine the circumstances leading up to this tragedy.”

“We are urging anyone with information, video footage, or who may have witnessed any part of this incident to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office immediately,” the post added.

Authorities said no suspect had been identified at the time of the report.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the development, his office said in a social media statement.

Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows there have been 504 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, including the Stockton attack.

(AFP)

Headline

FULL LIST: US To Review Green Cards From 19 ‘Countries Of Concern’ After Washington Shooting

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

The Trump administration announced on Thursday that it will review the immigration status of all permanent residents, or “Green Card” holders, from Afghanistan and 18 other countries following the attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.

U.S. officials identified the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting as a 29-year-old Afghan national who previously worked alongside American forces in Afghanistan.

The individual was granted asylum earlier this year, not permanent residency, according to AfghanEvac, an organisation that assists Afghans resettled in the United States after the Taliban takeover in 2021.

“I have directed a full-scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern,” said Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), on X.

The review follows a June executive order from President Trump classifying 19 countries as “of Identified Concern.”

The order banned entry for nearly all nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan. The full list of these countries is:

Afghanistan

Myanmar

Chad

Congo-Brazzaville

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Haiti

Iran

Libya

Somalia

Sudan

Yemen

A partial travel ban applies to seven additional countries, though some temporary work visas remain allowed: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Headline

Romanian Defence Minister Quits After Admitting Error In Academic Record

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

Romania’s defence minister resigned on Friday after saying he made a “mistake” on his CV about his university education, as controversy swirled over alleged lies on his resume.

Ionut Mosteanu – who has admitted to writing on his CV that he graduated from a university he never attended – said he did not want the row “to distract” the NATO member at a time when it and Europe are “under attack from Russia”.

Romania has repeatedly seen drone fragments fall on its soil since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and reported a number of drone incursions.

On Tuesday, a drone crashed in eastern Romania, which borders Ukraine.

Romania has also accused Moscow of “hybrid attacks”, including meddling in presidential elections last year that were subsequently annulled.

“Today, I resigned from my position as minister of national defence,” Mosteanu said in a Facebook post, adding he wanted the country to be focused on its “difficult mission”.

“Romania and Europe are under attack from Russia. Our national security must be defended at all costs,” he added.

Mosteanu had come under pressure after a media investigation published on Thursday revealed that he wrote in a CV that he graduated from a university which he did not actually attend.

That same day he apologised for what he called “a mistake”.

“In a CV I quickly put together in 2016 using a template I found online, there is a mistake that I admit embarrasses me. I didn’t pay much attention to these details at the time,” he said on Facebook.

Mosteanu was appointed defence minister in June of this year, when a new pro-European government was formed after months of political turmoil.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said in a press release that he would propose economy and tourism minister Radu Miruta take over the defence portfolio in the interim.

AFP