U.S. Pressures Nigeria to Accept Venezuelan Deportees Amid Visa Restrictions

The U.S. administration has reportedly urged Nigeria, alongside other African nations, to accept deported Venezuelans, some of whom have been released directly from U.S. prisons. The initiative is part of the U.S.’s expanded use of "third-country deportations", meant to alleviate backlogs when deportees cannot return directly to their country of origin .

At a BRICS summit in Brazil, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar stated the Trump administration is applying “considerable pressure” on African countries to accept these deportees. He emphasized that Nigeria, with its nearly 230 million population and own social issues, is not in a position to accommodate individuals transferred “straight out of prison.” Tuggar described the demand as “unfair” and akin to being treated as a “dumping ground” .

Broader Context

The effort follows similar agreements, such as South Sudan receiving eight deportees, and discussions underway in countries like Rwanda .

The U.S. Supreme Court has recently upheld the practice of deporting migrants to third countries willing to accept them .

Diplomatic Ripples

Visa restrictions: Nigeria has already had its visa validity cut to single-entry three-month permits, widely perceived as part of broader U.S. pressure .

Trade sanctions: Trump also threatened a 10% tariff on BRICS-aligned nations, including Nigeria. Tuggar clarified that Nigeria’s resistance to accepting deportees is independent of trade policies .

What’s at Stake

Immigration diplomacy: This signals a new front in U.S. immigration strategy, shifting pressure onto other nations.

Nigeria’s posture: Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s sovereignty, stating that decisions on third-country deportations must respect national capacities and reciprocity principles .

Regional unity: Other African nations may align with Nigeria's stance or enter similar resistance, shaping a collective response to U.S. requests.

Bottom Line: Washington is broadening its immigration enforcement by seeking partner countries to take in deportees. Nigeria has firmly declined, citing internal constraints. The push for deportation agreements has now intertwined with visa and trade disputes, raising the risk of deeper diplomatic strains.