US President Donald Trump has shared data suggesting that about 33.3% of Nigerian immigrant households in the United States receive some form of public assistance.
The figures were posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform on January 4, 2026, as debates over immigration, welfare dependency and economic contribution continue to dominate US domestic politics.
The chart, titled “Immigrant Welfare Recipient Rates by Country of Origin,” covers about 114 countries and territories and reflects households accessing benefits such as food assistance and healthcare support.
Nigeria falls around the middle of the table, below countries with the highest reported rates, including Bhutan (81.4%), Yemen (75.2%), Somalia (71.9%) and Afghanistan (68.1%). By contrast, countries with the lowest reported welfare usage include Bermuda (25.5%), Saudi Arabia (25.7%) and Argentina (26.2%).
The data release comes alongside a tightening of US immigration policy. In June 2025, the Trump administration imposed full and partial travel bans on several countries, citing security risks and weak immigration controls. These measures were expanded in December 2025, extending restrictions into 2026 and increasing the list to 39 affected countries.
Nigeria was added to the partial restriction category, limiting access to immigrant visas and several non-immigrant visa types, including student and exchange visas.
Earlier in July 2025, the US also revised visa rules for Nigerians, replacing long-term multiple-entry visas with single-entry, three-month permits for most non-immigrant categories.
The White House says the measures reflect enhanced vetting and enforcement. Reports indicate that about 85,000 visas were revoked in 2025, underscoring the administration’s tougher stance on both legal and irregular migration.
Trump Shares Welfare Data on Nigerian Immigrants
US President Donald Trump has shared data suggesting that about 33.3% of Nigerian immigrant households in the United States receive some form of public assistance.
The figures were posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform on January 4, 2026, as debates over immigration, welfare dependency and economic contribution continue to dominate US domestic politics.
The chart, titled “Immigrant Welfare Recipient Rates by Country of Origin,” covers about 114 countries and territories and reflects households accessing benefits such as food assistance and healthcare support.
Nigeria falls around the middle of the table, below countries with the highest reported rates, including Bhutan (81.4%), Yemen (75.2%), Somalia (71.9%) and Afghanistan (68.1%). By contrast, countries with the lowest reported welfare usage include Bermuda (25.5%), Saudi Arabia (25.7%) and Argentina (26.2%).
The data release comes alongside a tightening of US immigration policy. In June 2025, the Trump administration imposed full and partial travel bans on several countries, citing security risks and weak immigration controls. These measures were expanded in December 2025, extending restrictions into 2026 and increasing the list to 39 affected countries.
Nigeria was added to the partial restriction category, limiting access to immigrant visas and several non-immigrant visa types, including student and exchange visas.
Earlier in July 2025, the US also revised visa rules for Nigerians, replacing long-term multiple-entry visas with single-entry, three-month permits for most non-immigrant categories.
The White House says the measures reflect enhanced vetting and enforcement. Reports indicate that about 85,000 visas were revoked in 2025, underscoring the administration’s tougher stance on both legal and irregular migration.
