The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 10 Nigerians listed on its “Worst of the Worst” register of immigrants arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over alleged criminal offences.
The latest publication, released on the official DHS website, identifies Nigerians linked to cases involving alleged wire fraud, identity theft, dangerous drugs, assault, conspiracy, child cruelty and sexual offences involving children.
The Nigerians named in the latest update include Temitope Bashua, listed in connection with alleged wire fraud, identity theft and fraud in Allenwood, Pennsylvania.
Ojehoro Lewis was listed over alleged cruelty towards a child in Conroe, Texas, while Osemudiamen Kingsley Oziegbe was listed in connection with alleged wire fraud in Louisville, Kentucky.
Daniel Oworen was listed over dangerous drugs in Conroe, Texas, while Raymond H. Ekevwo was listed over alleged wire fraud in Oxford, Wisconsin.
Franklin Dikeocha was listed over an alleged sex offence against a child involving fondling in Dallas, Texas.
Johnson Ogunlana was listed in connection with alleged fraud and identity theft in White Deer, Pennsylvania.
Chukwuemeka Okorocha was listed over alleged wire fraud, dangerous drugs, possession of a weapon and aggravated assault involving a non-family gun in Allenwood, Pennsylvania.
Tunde Korede was listed over an alleged conspiracy offence in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, while Chukwuemeka Chinye was listed in connection with alleged larceny from a banking-type institution, fraud, larceny, identity theft and conspiracy in Pollock, Louisiana.
According to DHS, the register was created to highlight immigrants it describes as the “worst of the worst criminal aliens” arrested by ICE as part of the US government’s immigration enforcement operations.
US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the latest arrests were part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to intensify immigration enforcement and deportation across the country.
“Every day, the patriots of ICE are working to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our country. Just yesterday, ICE arrested murderers, pedophiles, kidnappers, and other violent criminals to make America safe again,” Mullin said.
He added, “Under President Trump’s leadership, there will be no safe haven for illegal aliens, including in sanctuary cities which put illegal aliens over their own citizens.
“We will never apologise for arresting and deporting illegal aliens, because that’s how we protect American lives.”
The DHS said the latest immigration enforcement operations were being carried out as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation policy.
“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations – starting with the worst of the worst – including the illegal aliens you see here,” the department said.
The latest publication comes weeks after DHS released another list containing 124 Nigerians arrested by ICE and identified on the same “Worst of the Worst” register.
The July publication included Nigerians accused or convicted of various criminal offences, although DHS did not provide specific deportation dates for the individuals named.
The continued release of the names and photographs comes amid the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the United States, with federal immigration authorities stepping up arrests and deportation proceedings against migrants accused of criminal offences.
However, inclusion on the DHS register indicates that an individual has been arrested or is subject to immigration enforcement proceedings. It does not, by itself, establish that every allegation listed against the person resulted in a criminal conviction.