₦airaland Forum

Irrespective of Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown, a U.S. federal court has temporarily blocked the deportation of Matthew Ariwoola, a Nigerian PhD student in chemistry at the University of South Carolina.

The court ruling follows a controversial decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to revoke Ariwoola’s student visa over a case of mistaken identity, a criminal warrant served in Georgia in 2023, a state the student insists he has never even visited.

The visa cancellation, which happened on April 8, 2025, effectively froze Ariwoola’s academic life. He was barred from his research, kicked out of the classroom, and faced the very real threat of being deported back to Nigeria.

With his future hanging, he turned to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of South Carolina, which quickly filed a lawsuit on his behalf.

On April 18, the same day the case was filed, District Judge Jacquelyn Austin issued a 14-day restraining order, halting any deportation attempts and reinstating Ariwoola’s student privileges.

The ruling not only allowed him to return to his academic duties but also signaled judicial skepticism toward the DHS’s actions.

Homeland Security soon reversed course, reactivating his visa record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, the database used to track foreign students in the U.S.

Over the following weeks, Judge Austin would renew the restraining order three more times. Then on June 13, she issued a preliminary injunction, preventing the government from taking any further steps against Ariwoola until the legal battle is resolved.

In her ruling, the judge affirmed the court’s jurisdiction and said the case presented a valid legal controversy under the U.S. Constitution, adding that all required conditions for granting an injunction had been met.

For Ariwoola, this legal reprieve isn’t just personal, it’s symbolic.

“This victory, though temporary, is a huge source of hope for international students who are unfairly targeted,” he said, acknowledging the swift support from his university, legal team, and the wider community. “I’m especially thankful to the ACLU-SC and the court for ensuring that justice prevails. I hope this encourages others to speak up and fight back.”

The case has struck a nerve in the ongoing debate over Trump’s hardline immigration policies. Since returning to office in January 2025, his administration has aggressively pursued the deportation of undocumented migrants, with foreign students increasingly caught in the crossfire.

For now, Matthew Ariwoola gets to stay and study in the U.S.

AMINDA:
Okay, if you insist. Kwankwaso also sponsored his thugs to destroy Tinubu's billboards in Kano.

https://www.nairaland.com/8454885/angry-youths-kano-destroy-tinubus

Governor Sheriff, the new signee also sent his thugs to do the same to Tinubu's billboards in Delta.

https://www.nairaland.com/8454332/ndokwa-youths-destroy-governor-oborevwori

Reality will soon dawn on everyone. Tinubu is getting rejected across every part of the country.

Regarding the naming, of course, as it is in the Federal so it is in the states. The hospital is one of the legacies of Elrufai, just like nearly all the projects Tinubu will be commissioning in Kaduna today. The governors have discovered that Tinubu loves sycophancy so they are falling overselves to outdo each other. But legacy is earned, not claimed.

Scores of bandits and vigilantes were reportedly killed in a fierce clash during a combined operation of vigilantes and soldiers around Dutsen Zaki community in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

16 vigilantes,who reportedly sustained injuries in the clash are currently receiving treatment at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Wase town and another hospital in Bauchi State.

Dutsen Zaki is a thick forest surrounded by villages such as Zurak, Aduwa, Kinashe, and Odare in Bashar district of Wase LGA.

The latest incident occurred two weeks after security operatives and vigilantes killed five bandits in Kadil Masudu village of Wase.

Disclosing the latest development on Wednesday, Abdullahi Hussaini, a leader of the vigilantes in the area, told Daily Trust that the fight started on Saturday morning and continued until Wednesday.

He said over 300 vigilantes took the fight to the bandits’ hideout.


According to Hussaini, over 80 bandits including their wives were killed while four vigilantes also lost their live in the incident.

“We started the fight since Saturday. We are forced to face these armed men. People in around Bashar axis are no longer safe. People cannot live in their houses simply because of the fear of attack, killing and kidnapping. The activities of the armed men have become daily occurrence. That is why vigilantes are taking the fight to their hideout,” Hussaini said.

The vigilante leader further explained that the fight would continue until all the armed men leave the area, noting that

“it is not an easy task, given how the bandits have made the forest their home for so long. We have made several attempts in the past but haven’t succeeded. But this time around, we killed them and their wives. Many of them have also fled. The forest is now under our control.”

Shapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase, also confirmed the development, saying the four vigilantes killed in the clash included a commander of the group, adding that a new commander had been appointed to continue the operation.

Abdullahi Bin Umar, a resident of one of the affected villages, confirmed the fight, saying,

“Residents of villages sharing borders with the forest have fled their communities for fear of the unknown. People are really scared about what may happen in the coming days, given the number of bandits killed.”

The spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, had not responded to request for comment on the incident as of press time.

AMINDA:
You may want to follow this thread to see the kind of rousing welcome he got. None of these Northern politicians around the President are on ground.

https://www.nairaland.com/8454954/police-watch-helplessly-kaduna-kano

Odingo1:
Show us any other tribe that have done such in South Eastern Nigeria. Igbos have a good heart and they are mainly not tribalistic.

Slytiger:
There is a Yoruba guy in Enugu building stadiums, hospitals, scholarships, road projects, mosque e.t.c You don't see Yorubas carrying loud speakers are trying to guilt trip others.

Dalohad:
So why did your brother and fathers who are from Yorubaland who finished UI do the same, since he is not doing the school any favour?

You are telling me, if he had graduated from UNIZIK or UNN, he wouldn't have amounted to anything?

Na only people wey go UI dey become billionaires?

bigpicture001:
Very soon nay Sayers will come in 10years time to advocate removal of his name from. The building block citing triabilism

Odingo1:
Igbo Amaka, they are nation builders, they deserve the best

ehikwe22:
He should go and do this things in his regions. People don't understand that no yoruba man will do this outside of his region

Egalitarian1:
They won't call him IPOB now o, but once he buys form for president of Nigeria, he will be tagged IPOB immediately.

Hypocrites!

Dalohad:
But na true he talk.

Infact, you, yes you will be the first to tag him IPOB for contesting against Baba emilocorn.

We don see Una finish.

5starMan:
They won't reject it now...
Bunch of wicked souls.

stuffs2002:
Una don start with all these una propaganda and lies.

This was how you people told all manner of lies during Buhari's administration. Many of you even went further to tell lies that Buhari was dead and that a clone called Jubrin from Sudan was the one ruling Nigeria.

Since when did you become Tinubu's wife that you and only you knew he hasn't been having peace of mind?

Bobloco:
You keep tossing around the word “bullying” when what’s really happening is pushback against a moderator abusing this platform to promote one-sided political narratives. Let’s not pretend that Mynd44’s role is just ‘having a different opinion.’ He’s not just posting like the rest of us he controls visibility, bans, and thread direction. That’s a position of influence, not just expression.

Fergie, as you mentioned, may support Peter Obi but I’ve yet to see him use mod tools to suppress dissent, delete contrary posts, or punish critics of Obi. That’s the distinction you keep ignoring, either deliberately or out of convenience.

And about this so-called “proof” Mynd44 posted it’s laughably one-sided and conveniently omits context, like most propaganda does. You want counter-proof? Start by demanding neutrality from someone wielding institutional power on a public forum like Nairaland. Until then, don’t talk to me about fairness or ‘accommodation’ when the playing field is being rigged behind the scenes.

Bobloco:
There’s a clear difference between supporting a candidate and actively weaponizing moderation tools to push Tinubu/APC propaganda, lies and falsehood while silencing dissent. fergie001 is merely alleged to support Peter Obi and I don’t recall him ever abusing mod privileges to suppress opposing views or selectively promote content.

Mynd44’s bias isn’t just personal, it’s institutional. It shows in how discussions are curated, which posts are amplified, and who gets sanctioned. That’s the real issue, not your weak attempt at false equivalence.

When anyone criticizes Tinubu or the APC, you cry ‘fascism by a headless mob.’ But when Mynd44 pushes half-baked narratives, peddles Tinubu and APC propaganda, and bans dissenting voices, you applaud it as ‘order.’

See the irony? Or is that still too inconvenient for your carefully filtered reality to handle?

Penguin2:
https://x.com/UmarSanithecat/status/1935473569804468412?t=gOlLaRFo3-zNrmCuXZFHsQ&s=19[/quote]Wait o, was this not your comments about Sambo yesterday?, so why are you running around the internet to look for a counter thread on someone that is a political non entity?. We can see the fear all over you people but una dey mask am

Penguin2:
Lol! Congratulations to him.

But this changes nothing.

Because even if all the 36 governors defect to APC, Tinubu will be smoked out of Aso Rock in 2027.

Besides, Namadi Sambo is a political non-entity. Zero weight

Bobloco:
Mynd44, what exactly are you trying to achieve with this statement?

It’s public knowledge that you were planted by the APC on this forum to do their bidding. Just like you pushed that fake news about the former Vice President defecting to the APC to the front page, do the same with this rebuttal.
Stop embarrassing yourself

kolente:
Did you just say full of wisdom ?

After only VDM and the Pope magnified the issue to a national and global topic ?

How many people were killed in the last two (2) months alone in the same Benue ?

Stop this hypocrisy Mr. Kiss the truth please. I am 100% sure that if not for VDM's graphic video that went viral and the Pope commesurating with the people, PBAT would not visit Benue.

He had no option as it painted him as a very insensitive leader. The Government of Benue should honour VDM for the gallantry exhibited and attention he brought forth.

chidiokay:
As he done anything to earn my or our Love, or you think its free

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has penned a touching tribute in memory of her late mother, Lady Carol Chinweolu Onoh, as the family marks the ninth anniversary of her passing.

In a deeply personal reflection shared on Monday, Bianca recalled the quiet morning of June 17, 2016, when her mother passed away peacefully without a sound or goodbye.


She described sitting at the foot of the bed, unaware of the moment death gently took her beloved "Mummy-Mum."

Bianca, visibly moved, reflected on the immense loss, describing her mother as a source of unwavering strength, prayer, and guidance during life’s most challenging moments.

“You were my anchor, my counselor, my prayer warrior, and my comfort,” she wrote.

She prayed for God’s continued blessings upon her late mother, not only for her family but also for the many lives she touched through her generosity, compassion, and selfless service.


In her closing words, Bianca expressed enduring love and longing, declaring, “I love you, Mummy-Mum. Continue to rest in peace.”

Lady Carol Chinweolu Onoh, fondly known as Nneora, was the wife of the late Chief C.C. Onoh, former Governor of the old Anambra State. Her legacy of service and compassion remains a cherished part of the Onoh family history.

zero8zero:
Nyedeba Nyedeba


Obidients will never forget in a hurry

Emzedz:
They would rather use the funds to renovate Vp House for #30 billion naira n ICC for #39 Billion..
Very shallow minded pple.

Igirigimercenar:
What a shame!

Anyone who justify this is a devil's advocate

Exgee:
What a country we find ourselves. May it not be well with our greedy, evil and wicked politicians.

Why should these pupils stay by the roadside to welcome a man whose rulership has been nothing short of evil?
Why endangering the lives of these innocent kids. What if they are rammed into by Dangotes truck?
This is risky for crying out loud.
I remember when they tried to do same for wike as part of his reception, but wike banned it here in FCT

Factcheck0001:
I support Tinubu n I support APC but I don't like how this Benue governor is handling issues.


It seems like obi he's more interested in photo ops

frazee:
This Benue governor is the lowest of whatever that can be described....

MrSly:
That is the illusion you have. Here those who don't want to observe sit at home are going to work every monday. Those who sit at home chose to do so for solidarity or health reasons.

Nijaforward:
I’m getting so ashamed of some Yoruba youths because i don’t understand why each time a Yoruba is the President they always bring up tribalism and i can see obviously Theyvare showing they are the real king of tribalism in Nigeria because they were so very active to condemn Buhari that didn’t do anything worst up to Tinubu is doing in his own forst 2 years …Yourba seems to be a acting like the real problem of Nigeria with all due respect they should change and calm down to allow critiama so the President can do the right thing for god sake

jmoore:
https://www.facebook.com/100013785282908/posts/pfbid0RbsBbxNK1m85qQE5sGjCLMgAVkf38CxanRuyFo63CEjRw3zokJgQAYhsscPkwgJ9l/?app=fbl


Previous thread https://www.nairaland.com/8453170/joe-igbokwe-calls-out-igbos#135785160

aribisala0:
We want him to stay in Nigeria

Yesterday we saw Trump leave the G7 summit and go back home

I am not one of those people that attacks Tinubu for political reasons

But even if you are his supporter to have credibility one must speak truth

To announce a VACATION at a time like this is VERY INSENSITIVE

Not everything should be defended. This is WRONG


If Nigeria was peaceful are there not enough places to vacation in Nigeria?

St Lucia is a COUNTRY WITH A LAND MASS THE SIZE OF OWERRI

Why is he going there for 7 days for what reason.? Also if it is VACATION will he hand over to his deputy

IS THIS NOT THE SAME ST LUCIA THAT SANWO- OLU WENT FOR BIRTHDAY PARTY