As Donald Trump begins his second term as President of the United States, his administration's plans for a broad crackdown on unauthorized immigration have sparked concerns among African nations. With a promise to undertake the "largest deportation operation" in US history, Trump's government intends to deport unauthorized immigrants via raids and stronger enforcement methods, which may have significant economic and political consequences for African countries.

According to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Annual Report for 2024, prior to Trump's inauguration, the US had a significant number of removals, with 271,484 deportations in 2024 alone. Of these, 88,763 (or 32.7%) had criminal histories, with an average of 5.63 convictions and/or charges per individual. These included serious charges or convictions for offenses such as assaults, sexual assaults, weapons offenses, burglaries, robberies, homicides, and kidnappings.

The number of African migrants in the United States has gradually increased, with the number of Sub-Saharan African immigrants in the US increasing sixteenfold since 1980. According to the Migration Policy Institute, roughly 2.1 million sub-Saharan African immigrants resided in the US in 2019, accounting for 5% of the overall foreign-born population of 44.9 million. With these figures, it is easy to see how Trump's plan could impact several lives, even those not in the US.

One important effect of mass deportations would be the loss of remittances. Every year, African migrants in the US send billions of dollars back home to sustain their families, companies, and infrastructure. The loss of these remittances could have devastating economic consequences for African nations.

New data from ICE reveals the top 10 African countries with the most citizens deported from the US under Biden. Senegal ranks number one on the list, with 654 deportations, followed by Mauritania (425), Nigeria (417), Egypt (332), Ghana (258), Democratic Republic of Congo (218), Angola (210), Liberia (159), Cameroon (158), and Guinea (148).

The impact of Trump's mass deportation plans on African nations cannot be overstated. With the loss of remittances and the potential for economic instability, African countries are bracing themselves for the consequences of Trump's immigration crackdown. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how African nations will respond to the challenges posed by Trump's deportation plans.

In conclusion, Trump's return to the White House has sparked concerns over mass deportations, with African nations set to be heavily impacted. As the US government prepares to undertake the "largest deportation operation" in US history, African countries are bracing themselves for the economic and political consequences. The top 10 African countries with the most citizens deported from the US under Biden serve as a stark reminder of the potential impact of Trump's immigration policies on African nations.