We are struggling these days. In fact, many people have self-deported, which has affected my rentals because they are leaving
A U.S based Nigerian Ayo Jimmy has recounted in gory detail the plight of illegal immigrants in the United States under Donald Trump.
Jimmy, a Nigerian living legally in the U.S since 2005 after relocating from Nigeria to join his older brother, said illegal migrants, including Nigerians, have been deporting themselves, choosing to return to their country due to the terror of the U.S. agency ICE.
“No doubt, the fear of ICE has actually reduced the number of people coming into the country and traveling around. I’m in the hospitality business, and I deal with visitors looking for short-term rentals. We are struggling these days. In fact, many people have self-deported, which has affected my rentals because they are leaving.
“The point is that ICE is primarily after those with criminal records. It doesn’t matter where they find them; they may be detained based on profiling.”
Asked if he would be watching the World Cup coming to the U.S, the New Jersey-based said: “My house is close to the stadium,” Jimmy quipped, “but I’m not going. I have my work to focus on. Who cares about football? This is the U.S.; they don’t care about the World Cup. The immigrant community here isn’t thinking about that. All we want to do is concentrate on our work and business, to do well for ourselves. The World Cup is overrated.”
Jimmy, who has a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Card (Green Card), expressed the common fears felt by many immigrants who have yet to secure their legal documentation.
“It’s true that people without valid documents are afraid to go to the stadiums. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been troubling them in New Jersey, and they want to play it safe. Besides that, the tickets are not cheap; no one cares about that.”
What concerns Jimmy the most is renting out his empty apartments during the World Cup.
“My hope is that visitors will come and rent my apartments near the stadium before and during the tournament. That’s what I care about. Sales have been dull because many non-citizens have voluntarily left the country out of fear of ICE. I haven’t had clients in these apartments since February, so I’m looking forward to visitors coming in June to boost my business.
“I don’t expect non-citizens who haven’t perfected their documentation to go near the stadium. What will they do there? They would just be putting themselves in jeopardy, knowing that ICE could pick them up.
Rightly, immigrants in New Jersey, home to Jimmy and numerous Africans, Latinos, and Asians, have legitimate reasons to be afraid.
