No fewer than 29,723 Nigerian immigrants living in the United States overstayed their U.S. non-immigrant tourism/business (B1/B2) visas between October 1, 2017, and September 30, 2018.
This was contained in a new report by the US Department of Homeland Security, titled: “The fiscal Year 2018 Entry/Exit Overstay Report.”
It said these immigrants, who entered the United States legally, refused to leave the country after their visas expired.
The report also shows the numbers and rate of expected departures of foreigners, who arrived in the United States as non-immigrants through the air or sea port of entry (POE).
The reports, however, exempted travellers from Canada and Mexico as they mostly enter the United States by land.
According to the report, 195,785 Nigerians that were given visas into the US were expected to leave “within the above window.”
Of this number, Nigeria had 15.18 per cent rate of overstay and a Suspected ‘In-Country Overstay’ rate of 14.81 per cent.
The report also showed that Nigeria has no departure record for 29,004 immigrants; while only 719 travellers left the country after their visas expired.
Djibouti, a small Africa country, has the highest rate of visa overstay immigrants at 180; with 403 expected departures. The numbers translate to 44.67 per cent and a Suspected In-Country Overstay rate of 43.92 per cent.
The deportation of illegal immigrants and the consistent demand for building an all concrete wall along the Mexican/U.S. border has been one of President Donald Trump’s exertions.
”We will triple the number of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Anyone who enters the U.S. illegally is subject to deportation. That is what it means to have laws and to have a country.”
The report reveals that the ICE deported 256,000 illegal immigrants, under the President Trump administration, but this was lower than the 2012 peak of 410,000 under the Obama administration.
President Trump, on April 11, ordered the Departments of State and Homeland Security to provide solutions to solve the surge of illegal immigrant overstay, The Washington Post reported.
According to the report, Trump said ‘attention’ would be given to countries that overstay abuse their business and tourist visas above 10 per cent, on the Department of Homeland Security’s 2018 report.
President Trump added that sanctions to curb the menace of illegal overstay could include suspending or limiting visas for those countries who hold travel and business visas.
Also, limits to the duration of admission will be implemented by the Department of Homeland Security; and additional documentary requirements.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced new visa application procedures for Nigerian citizens ostensibly as a move to tackle the issue of visa overstay in the U.S.
…as consulate buys 1,000 hectares of land in Eko Atlantic City, plans relocation
The United States Consul General in Lagos, Mr John Bray on Wednesday announced that the home government had secured about 1,000 hectares of land on the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos.
Bray made the disclosure at his residence shortly after signing the engagement agreementon between the U.S. government officials and Mr Roland Chagdury, the Executive Chairman of South EnergyX Nigeria.
The Consul General said the decision to build a new Consulate in the Eko Atlantic City was to afford Nigerians better and more accessible services at the Consulate General.
“This is another demonstration that the United States is committed to Nigeria and her citizens. What we currently have as a Consulate General was constructed in the ‘70s.
“So, we have acquired a land in Eko Atlantic City to build a new consulate better and more accessible to Nigerians and others coming to visit for visas and other services,’’ he said.
Bray said that the U.S. government was proud to be participating in the Eko Atlantic City project, adding that the new consulate would further strengthen the U.S./Nigeria relations.
The Envoy, who said that the City was selected for its world-class infrastructure, reiterated the consulate’s commitment to working with Nigerians in providing opportunities for economic and development in Lagos.
Roland Chagdury, the Executive Chairman of South EnergyX Nigeria said that the U.S. government was welcome to the Eko Atlantic City.
Chagdury said that the confidence of the U.S. government in the Eko Atlantic City had reinforced the shared beliefs in the benefits that the city would bring to generations to come.
“We warmly welcome the government of the United States of America to the Eko Atlantic City. The signing of this agreement today signifies the dedication that the United States of America has always had for Nigeria,’’ he said.
Chagdury commended the Lagos State government and the Federal Government for their continued support in making Eko Atlantic City a success.
Eko Atlantic is an entire new coastal city being built on Victoria Island adjacent to Lagos, Nigeria.
The city is officially Nigeria’s International Commerce city, which is a planned city of Lagos State, being constructed on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean.
It is a focal point for investors capitalising on rich development growth based on massive demand – and a gateway to emerging markets of the continent.
