Former US President Donald Trump has published a controversial list detailing the reliance of immigrant communities on public welfare programs in the United States, with data showing significant usage among Nigerians abroad.
Trump's Truth Social Post Sparks Debate
On January 4, 2026, Donald Trump shared a chart on his Truth Social platform titled “Immigrant Welfare Recipient Rates by Country of Origin.” The data, which covers approximately 114 nations and territories, indicates the percentage of immigrant households receiving forms of public support like food assistance and healthcare benefits.
According to the chart, about 33.3 per cent of Nigerian immigrant households in the United States are beneficiaries of some form of public assistance. This figure places Nigeria outside the top ten nations with the highest welfare rates but highlights a notable level of dependency within the community.
Global Rankings: Highest and Lowest Welfare Rates
The chart presented a stark global comparison. Countries with the highest reported percentages of immigrant households on welfare include:
- Bhutan – 81.4%
- Yemen – 75.2%
- Somalia – 71.9%
- Marshall Islands – 71.4%
- Dominican Republic – 68.1%
- Afghanistan – 68.1%
- Congo – 66.0%
- Guinea – 65.8%
- Samoa – 63.4%
- Cape Verde – 63.1%
Conversely, immigrant groups with the lowest reported welfare dependency rates are led by:
- Bermuda – 25.5%
- Saudi Arabia – 25.7%
- Israel/Palestine – 25.9%
- Argentina – 26.2%
- South America (unspecified) – 26.7%
- Korea – 27.2%
- Zambia – 28.0%
- Portugal – 28.2%
- Kenya – 28.5%
- Kuwait – 29.3%
Political Context and Policy Implications
This data release is not occurring in a vacuum. It forms a key part of the ongoing Republican focus on immigration, welfare dependency, and economic contribution in US domestic politics. The sharing of these statistics aligns with continued efforts to shape public opinion on immigration policy.
Furthermore, the Trump administration has concurrently expanded travel bans and immigration restrictions, tightening the rules on who can enter the United States and under what conditions. The welfare data is often cited in such debates to argue for stricter immigration controls based on perceived economic burden.
The publication of this list reignites discussions on the narrative surrounding immigrant communities, their economic integration, and the use of social safety nets. For the Nigerian diaspora, which is often celebrated for its high educational attainment and professional success, the 33.3% figure presents a more complex picture that is likely to fuel further analysis and political discourse.
