The United Kingdom has deported 44 Nigerian and Ghanaian nationals, marking a significant increase in immigration enforcement. This move is part of a “major surge” in returns, according to the UK Home Office.

Deportations to Nigeria and Ghana are relatively rare, with only four recorded since 2020. The Home Office claims this surge is necessary to ensure rules are respected and enforced, with over 3,600 individuals returned in the first two months of the new government.

Personal Stories of Deportees Revealed

Before their deportation, four Nigerians shared their experiences with The Guardian while being held at the Brook House immigration removal centre. One individual expressed feeling “very traumatized” by his experience.

Another deportee, an asylum seeker with no criminal record, had lived in the UK for 15 years. “I’ve been in the UK for 15 years… The Home Office has refused my claim,” he said.

UK Home Office Responds

A Home Office spokesperson stated, “We are delivering a major surge in immigration enforcement and returns activity to remove people with no right to be in the UK.”

This deportation highlights the complexities surrounding immigration policies, sparking concerns about the emotional and psychological impact on those affected.