Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has advised Nigerians and other Africans whose US visas were recently revoked to return home before facing possible arrest by immigration authorities.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, the outspoken activist cautioned against overreliance on life abroad, saying every migrant will one day be reminded that America is not their home.
“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,” Sani wrote.
“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.”
Sani’s warning comes as the US State Department confirmed the cancellation of over 80,000 visas since January 2025 — more than double the number revoked in the previous year.
According to the department’s report released last week, the cancellations included 16,000 visas tied to DUI offences, 12,000 linked to assault, and 8,000 student visas.
Other reasons cited include terrorism support, criminal activity, public safety risks, and visa overstays.
While the US did not disclose the affected nationalities, a previous report from August revealed that over 6,000 student visas—many issued to Africans—were withdrawn for overstays and security-related violations.
The US has also tightened its visa regulations in recent months. In July, the US Embassy ordered all F, M, and J visa applicants to make their social media accounts public for background checks. That same month, it announced a shorter validity period for some Nigerian visa categories, sparking widespread concern among frequent travellers and students.
Observers say the wave of restrictions marks a tougher immigration stance under President Donald Trump’s second administration, which has prioritized security vetting and deportations.
