By Ihechi Enyinnaya
A coalition of Nigerian civil society groups and international human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe has appealed to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to reverse visa restrictions on Nigerians, halt deportations, and grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to eligible Nigerians in the United States.
The appeal follows the death of Rev. Father Benjamin Okwy Madu, a 54-year-old Nigerian Catholic priest who had been serving as a hospital chaplain and parish priest in Massachusetts.
In a statement issued on behalf of the coalition, Ogebe expressed sadness over the priest’s death, alleging that U.S. immigration restrictions contributed to the tragedy. He also referenced the recent detention of Nigerian nun Sister Letty Ugboaja by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), describing both individuals as law-abiding Nigerian citizens legally resident in the United States.
Ogebe argued that Father Madu, whose R-1 religious worker visa was nearing expiration, faced uncertainty over his immigration status following restrictions imposed on visa processing for citizens of several countries, including Nigeria.
According to the coalition, Father Madu had expressed fears about returning to Nigeria because of insecurity and attacks on Christian clergy. It said he suffered emotional distress before his death and left a farewell message to his congregation indicating that circumstances beyond his control had forced him to leave the United States.
The coalition also cited reports of ongoing attacks against Christian communities in parts of Nigeria, particularly in Plateau, Benue and Kaduna states, and urged the U.S. government to consider the security situation when reviewing immigration policies affecting Nigerians.
Ogebe further called on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to provide consular assistance to Nigerians currently in ICE custody and facilitate smooth repatriation where necessary.
He also highlighted the contributions of Nigerians to American society, pointing to footballer Folarin Balogun’s performances at the ongoing FIFA World Cup and the presence of Nigerian-born or Nigerian-descended players representing several countries at the tournament.
The coalition’s petition called for an immediate suspension of deportations of Nigerians whose lives could be at risk upon return, the granting of Temporary Protected Status for eligible Nigerians already in the U.S., and a review of visa policies affecting clergy and other vulnerable groups.
It also appealed directly to President Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging them to end what it described as broad visa restrictions on Nigerians and restore pathways for legal migration.
The coalition has launched an online petition seeking public support for the reversal of the U.S. visa restrictions on Nigerians.