Nigerian students in the United States could face deportation as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to remove foreign nationals deemed not to be in the country’s best interest.
Following a surge in international student enrollment in 2024, Nigeria ranked seventh globally and first in Africa, with 20,029 Nigerian students enrolled in US institutions, a 13.5% increase from the previous academic year.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the administration is prepared to deport foreign students if necessary, even those who entered the country legally.
“This isn’t just about national security; it’s about who gets to be part of our national community,” Vance said.
“If the president and secretary of state decide a person shouldn’t be here, and they have no legal right to stay, they will be removed.”
He also pointed out concerns about international students taking up spots in elite universities at the expense of American students.
“Many foreign students pay full tuition, and sometimes, a well-qualified middle-class American student is denied admission because a wealthy international student can afford to pay $100,000 a year,” he argued.
While the exact number of potential deportations remains uncertain, Vance suggested that more foreign students could be affected as the administration enforces stricter immigration policies.
