Nigeria Rejects US Bid to Take In Migrants
Nigeria has rejected a request by the United States to admit undocumented migrants turned away at the US border, saying Africa’s most populous nation is already grappling with its own demographic pressures and economic challenges.
With a population exceeding 230 million, Nigeria said it lacks the resources to accommodate foreign migrants the US seeks to resettle under a controversial policy that has seen Washington court African nations to sign so-called “safe third country” agreements.
“The US approached us with a request, but Nigeria has made it clear that it is not in a position to accept illegal migrants rejected at the US border,” a senior Nigerian government official is quoted by international press.
President Donald Trump’s administration secured a milestone recently when the US Supreme Court ruled that Washington can deport migrants to third countries that agree to take them, even if the migrants did not pass through those countries on their way to the US.
The ruling revived efforts by US authorities to strike deals with African nations to ease migrant pressures at the southern border.
So far, a number of African countries including Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, Niger, and Senegal – have been approached by US officials to accept migrants, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
Rwanda and Uganda have publicly acknowledged discussions with the US, but no formal agreements have been signed, and talks have stalled in some cases over compensation and resettlement terms.
Nigeria’s rejection deals a setback to Washington’s push to replicate its Latin America “safe third country” approach on the African continent as it seeks to deter migrants from crossing the US-Mexico border illegally.
Africa’s most populous country is battling youth unemployment exceeding 40 percent, persistent insecurity, and a weakening naira that has fuelled food and fuel inflation, making it difficult to absorb additional humanitarian responsibilities, officials said.
“While we understand the pressures on the US, Nigeria’s priority remains managing its own population and economic stability,” the Nigerian official added.
The US administration has maintained elements of Trump-era border controls during his first term in office amid record migrant crossings in the last regime and US officials have said partnerships with African nations would help “expand safe and legal pathways” while deterring irregular migration.
ligadwah@businessdayafrica.org