One In Three Nigerian Immigrant Households In U.S. Receive Government Assistance — Trump Says

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that roughly 33 percent of Nigerian immigrant households in the United States rely on public welfare programs.

The assertion followed the release of a chart Trump shared on his Truth Social account on January 4, 2026, as immigration and welfare usage remain central issues in Republican policy discussions. The data was presented as part of ongoing debates about immigration levels, public spending, and the economic role of migrants.

The chart, labeled Immigrant Welfare Recipient Rates by Country of Origin, analyzes immigrant households from about 114 countries and territories. It measures the share of households receiving government support such as food aid, healthcare assistance, and other social benefits.

According to the figures, some of the highest welfare participation rates were recorded among immigrants from Bhutan, Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan, and the Dominican Republic. Countries listed with the lowest reliance on public assistance included Bermuda, Saudi Arabia, Israel/Palestine, Argentina, and Kenya. Nigerian households were placed near the middle of the chart at approximately 33.3 percent.

The welfare data was released against the backdrop of expanded immigration restrictions under the Trump administration. A series of proclamations issued from mid-2025 introduced full and partial travel bans on dozens of countries, citing national security concerns and immigration compliance issues.

In late December 2025, the White House extended these measures into 2026, increasing the list of affected countries to 39. Nigeria was added under partial restrictions, limiting access to immigrant visas and several non-immigrant categories, including student and exchange programs.

The administration has also tightened visa conditions for Nigerians, reducing most non-immigrant visas to single-entry permits valid for three months. These steps form part of a broader enforcement push that reportedly led to the revocation of about 85,000 visas in 2025.