By Ebi Kesiena
The Nigerian government has called on the United States to adhere to established international conventions regarding the repatriation of immigrants. This appeal comes amid concerns over the potential suspension of the Drop Box Visa System by the US government.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, expressed these sentiments during a courtesy visit by US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr.
She noted that many Nigerians in the US are already experiencing emotional and financial hardships due to the new administration’s plans to repatriate certain individuals.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised that Nigerians in the US deserve a dignified repatriation process and urged the US government to mitigate the trauma of those being deported by allowing them sufficient time to retrieve their assets. She stated that approximately 201 Nigerian nationals are currently in US immigration camps, with around 85 cleared for deportation.
The minister also appealed to the US government to reconsider suspending the Drop Box Visa Policy, which would unduly affect Nigerians travelling to the US for legitimate reasons. She requested a clarifying statement from the US government to alleviate the concerns of anxious Nigerians.
Furthermore, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that about 14,000 Nigerian students in the US, with parents in Nigeria, are worried about potential changes to student policies under the new US administration.
Responding, US Ambassador Richard Mills Jr. assured that bilateral relations between both countries would broaden and clarified that the Drop Box Visa Policy has not been suspended but rather renewed due to the change in administration.
He added that he looked forward to strengthening bilateral relations between both countries and stated that the new US government’s position on USAID, the Drop Box Visa system, and other related policies would be revealed in due course.
