Former Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna Central has called on affected Nigerians and other Africans to promptly return to their home countries to avoid potential detention by U.S. immigration authorities.
Sharing his thoughts via a post on X (formerly Twitter) earlier today, Sani emphasized the importance of acting quickly. He stated: “Nigerians and other thousands of Africans whose visas were recently revoked by President Trump should hasten and leave the country and return home before they get arrested by ICE.
No matter how long you live in the comfort of your adopted home, you will someday be reminded that it’s not your father’s house.”
This recommendation follows a surge in visa cancellations under the Trump administration. A recent U.S. State Department report indicates that over 80,000 visas have been revoked since the start of 2025—more than double the figure from the prior year.
Among these, approximately 16,000 were tied to driving under the influence charges, 12,000 to assault-related incidents, and 8,000 involved student visas. Additional grounds for revocation included suspicions of supporting terrorism, involvement in criminal acts, threats to public safety, visa overstays, and direct links to terrorist activities.
While specific nationalities weren’t detailed in the report, earlier data from August revealed that more than 6,000 student visas were pulled due to overstays and other violations, with a minor portion associated with terrorism support.
The U.S. has implemented stricter visa policies in recent times. In July, applicants for certain non-immigrant visas (categories F, M, and J) were required to make their social media profiles publicly accessible for better vetting. Separately, Nigerian visa applicants faced a significant update that shortened the duration of validity for various visa types.
Sani’s message underscores a broader sentiment about the transient nature of life abroad, urging those affected to prioritize safety and return without delay.
