3,680 Nigerian,495 Moroccan, 1.4m Other Nationals To Be Deported From US

Over 3,680 Nigerian, 495 Moroccan nationals are among the 1.4 million non-citizens who have received final deportation orders from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to official data released in November 2024.

The ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) document reveals that 495 Moroccan citizens are currently on ICE’s non-detained docket with final removal orders, placing Morocco among the mid-range countries affected by potential deportations.

The data emerges as the Trump administration, which took office this month, has initiated an aggressive immigration enforcement campaign.

Recent operations have already led to approximately 3,500 arrests of unauthorized immigrants across the United States, according to ICE statistics.

For context, Mexico tops the list with 252,044 individuals facing deportation orders, followed by El Salvador (203,822), Honduras (261,651), and Nicaragua (45,995). The total number of non-citizens with final removal orders stands at 1,445,549 as of November 24, 2024.

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The ICE document also outlines several factors that can complicate deportations. These include cases where individuals pursue asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture. Additionally, the cooperation level of origin countries plays a crucial role in the removal process.

“The U.S. Government believes every country is obligated to accept the return of its citizens and nationals who are ineligible to remain in the United States,” the ICE document states.

Countries’ cooperation is evaluated based on their willingness to confirm citizenship, conduct interviews, issue travel documents, and accept returns via commercial or charter flights.

While Morocco is not listed among either the 15 countries ICE considers “uncooperative” or the 11 deemed “at risk of non-compliance,” the process of deportation remains complex and subject to various legal and administrative procedures.

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The data release comes as part of ICE’s response to inquiries about individuals on the non-detained docket with final removal orders, providing a comprehensive breakdown by nationality and explaining the challenges in executing these orders.

Aggressive immigration enforcement marks Trump’s return

President Donald Trump has swiftly enacted sweeping changes to US immigration policy since his January 20 inauguration, launching what his administration calls “the largest deportation operation in American history.”

In his first week in office, Trump signed multiple executive orders targeting immigration, including one declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border.

The administration has deployed 1,500 active-duty troops to reinforce the southern border and has begun using military aircraft for deportation flights.

The new policies have already triggered international tensions. A recent diplomatic standoff occurred when Colombia initially refused to accept US military planes carrying deportees, leading Trump to threaten tariffs and sanctions.

The dispute was resolved after Colombia agreed to “unrestricted acceptance” of deportation flights.

The Justice Department has also taken an aggressive stance, with acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove issuing a memo threatening to prosecute state and local officials who resist federal immigration enforcement.

The memo specifically targets “sanctuary city” laws that limit cooperation with federal authorities.

ICE’s enforcement capabilities have been expanded under the new administration. The agency can now conduct operations in previously restricted “sensitive locations” such as schools and churches, and has broader authority to make “collateral arrests” of unauthorized immigrants encountered during targeted operations.

The administration has also moved to end the practice known as “catch and release,” directing US Customs and Border Protection to hold migrants in custody rather than releasing them while awaiting court dates.

Additionally, the CBP One app, which allowed migrants to schedule asylum interviews, has been deactivated and all future appointments canceled.

Local responses to these policies have varied significantly. While some cities like Chicago have reinforced their sanctuary policies and prepared defense strategies, others have indicated willingness to cooperate with federal enforcement efforts.

The Chicago Teachers Union, for instance, has trained staff on how to respond to potential ICE raids at schools.

These policy changes have created widespread uncertainty in immigrant communities. As one immigration advocate noted to CNN, “What I can anticipate for sure is fear and uncertainty, because that is essentially what they are being made to feel.”