Trump: List of Documents You Need to Stay Legally in US as Mass Deportation Begins

Trump: List of Documents You Need to Stay Legally in US as Mass Deportation Begins

  • Over 3,000 undocumented Nigerians in the US face deportation, as per a media report citing America's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Nigeria ranks third among African nations with the highest pending deportations, following an immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump
  • The US government requires migrants to have valid visas, proof of sponsorships, and other key documents with them to legally remain in the country

At least 3,000 undocumented Nigerians in the United States are facing imminent deportation amid the crackdown under President Donald Trump.

This is according to reports citing a document obtained by Fox News from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Removal Operations.

documents, America, US, president, Donald Trump, immigration, customs, ICE, undocumented, illegal, deportations.
Nigerians in the US must have certain documents amid US President Donald Trump's crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Image: Getty
Source: Getty Images

The report, published on January 28, 2025, stated that these Nigerian immigrants were on ICE’s non-detained docket with orders of removal since November 2024.

Nigeria ranks third among African nations with the highest number of citizens scheduled for deportation, following closely behind Somalia, Ghana, and Senegal.

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The enforcement of immigration laws has intensified since American President Donald Trump assumed office on January 20, 2025.

Over the past few days, a large-scale crackdown by ICE officials has led to the arrest of thousands of undocumented immigrants across major US cities.

On January 27 alone, 956 people were reportedly detained, adding to the 286 arrests made on January 26, 593 on January 25, and 538 on January 24.

As of November 2024, more than one million non-U.S. citizens were listed on ICE’s non-detainee register and were subject to final removal orders.

Many African nationals, including Nigerians, were alleged to have entered the United States illegally through Nicaragua between 2023 and 2024.

Deportation flights carrying hundreds of undocumented migrants have already landed in Guatemala and Mexico as part of ongoing removals.

Key documents for different US immigration pathways

1. Permanent Residency (Green Card)

To obtain a Green Card (Permanent Resident Card), an applicant must provide:

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  • A valid passport
  • An immigration visa
  • Form I-551 (Green Card)
  • Proof of relationship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (if applicable).

2. Employment-Based Immigration

Applicants seeking to work in the U.S. must present:

  • Form I-766 (Employment Authorization Document Card)
  • A job offer letter from a U.S. employer
  • Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
  • Labor Certification (if required).

3. Family-Based Immigration

For those immigrating based on family ties, the required documents include:

  • Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
  • Birth certificates of family members
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable).

4. Non-Immigrant Visas (Temporary Stay)

Those visiting temporarily for business, education, or tourism must have:

  • A valid passport
  • A relevant non-immigrant visa (e.g., tourist, business, student, or work visa)
  • Supporting documents for their stay, such as an acceptance letter from a US school for a student visa.

Full list of countries whose citizens Trump is deporting

Earlier, Legit.ng also reported that the US had begun a large-scale deportation operation affecting over 1.4 million noncitizens under President Trump's order.

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The deportations, targeting individuals with final removal orders, span more than 150 countries, making this one of the most extensive removal efforts in U.S. history.

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Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ibrahim Sofiyullaha avatar

Ibrahim Sofiyullaha (Editorial Assistant) Ibrahim Sofiyullaha is a graduate of First Technical University, Ibadan. He was the founder and pioneer Editor-in-Chief of a fast-rising campus journalism outfit at his university. Ibrahim is a coauthor of the book Julie, or Sylvia, written in collaboration with two prominent Western authors. He was ranked as the 9th best young writer in Africa by the International Sports Press Association. Ibrahim has contributed insightful articles for major platforms, including Sportskeeda in the UK and Motherly in the United States. Email: ibrahim.sofiyullaha@corp.legit.ng