Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has advised Nigerians and other Africans affected by the United States’ recent mass visa cancellations to return home promptly to avoid possible arrest by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Sani cautioned those whose visas had been withdrawn under the current US administration to make immediate arrangements to leave before facing immigration crackdowns.
He wrote, “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.”
Okay News reports that the US government, under President Donald Trump, has revoked about 80,000 visas since January 2025—more than double the figure recorded the previous year. Official documents indicate that 16,000 of those visas were linked to driving under the influence, 12,000 to assault, and 8,000 to student-related offenses.
The US Department of State also listed other factors behind the revocations, such as suspected support for terrorism, criminal activities, public safety threats, and overstaying permitted periods.
Although the exact nationalities of affected individuals were not revealed, earlier data released in August showed that over 6,000 student visas were withdrawn due to overstays and violations, including a few tied to security concerns.
In recent months, the United States has tightened its visa procedures for several countries, including Nigeria. In July, the US Embassy directed all F, M, and J visa applicants to make their social media accounts public as part of expanded background checks. That same month, it also reduced the validity period for several categories of visas issued to Nigerian applicants.
Sani’s statement adds to growing discussions on migration and the treatment of African immigrants under changing US visa policies.
