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February 14, 2003 U.S., Canadian, Nigerian Authorities Cooperate on Removal WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a cooperative multi-national effort, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) earlier this week repatriated 89 illegal aliens to Nigeria, including several war criminals. The individuals were removed by chartered aircraft to Lagos, Nigeria on February 13. Of the 89, 68 had been illegally present in the United States. The vast majority of them had committed crimes in the United States - crimes that include narcotics possession and trafficking, assault and battery, fraud, robbery, burglary and rape. The remaining 21 were deported because they had been illegally present in Canada. Some of the Canadian deportees also had serious criminal convictions. In addition, several had been involved in war crimes in Nigeria. All of the individuals were taken into the custody of the Nigerian government upon their arrival in Lagos. This week's mission to Nigeria is the latest of a series of joint removal operations carried out by the United States and Canada. Costs associated with the missions are shared by the U.S. and Canadian governments. "This mission was the result of excellent cooperation involving the governments of the United States, Canada and Nigeria, and we look forward to this continued support," said Acting INS Commissioner Michael Garcia. "We are committed to ensuring public safety and enforcing our nation's immigration laws in the most expeditious and cost-effective way possible. This is a prime example of how we can achieve those goals." - INS - |
Last Modified 02/20/2003