A Nigerian man who tried to flee deportation from the United States to Canada has recounted how he lost several fingers to frostbite after a treacherous journey across the snow-covered border.

Chidi Nwagbo, 57, said he felt he had no choice but to leave the US after facing increasing pressure from immigration authorities. He had lived in the country for over three decades.

Speaking from Canada, where he is currently under immigration review, Mr Nwagbo described how he paid $2,000 to human smugglers who promised him safe passage across the US–Canada border. Instead, he was left to brave sub-zero temperatures on foot.

“As soon as I took a few steps into the forest, I knew I had made a terrible mistake,” he told reporters.

Mr Nwagbo was part of a small group of migrants guided by smugglers through the snowy borderlands between New York State and Quebec, Canada, in February. Temperatures plummeted to –28°C during the crossing.

He said he lost his gloves early in the journey, leaving his hands exposed to the freezing cold for hours. By the time Canadian police reached him, he was already suffering from severe frostbite.

“It was supposed to be a 30- or 40-minute walk, but it felt endless. I couldn’t feel my hands anymore,” he said.

‘I Thought I Was Going to Die’

Mr Nwagbo eventually called emergency services along with others in his group, which included women from Guinea and Haiti — one of whom carried an 11-month-old baby.

When Canadian police arrived, Mr Nwagbo said he was overwhelmed with relief.

“When I found out it was the Canadians and not US border patrol, I felt a deep sense of safety,” he said.

But the physical toll was already severe. Doctors later amputated parts of his left and right hands, including his little, ring, and middle fingers and the tip of his thumb.

“I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” he added. “If I had known the risks, I would never have taken that route.”

A Life in Limbo

Mr Nwagbo’s story highlights the desperation of undocumented migrants in the US — many of whom have lived in the country for decades and are now facing deportation.

He arrived in the US in 1988 and had five children during his time in the country. In 2014, he received a bravery award from the Columbus, Ohio fire department after saving a 10-year-old girl from drowning.

However, after missing an immigration court appearance in 2021 — which his lawyer blamed on a scheduling error — he became subject to a removal order.

Following Donald Trump’s election win, Mr Nwagbo said he felt the immigration environment had become more hostile.

“I didn’t have all the right information. I thought I had to cross illegally to be considered for asylum in Canada,” he said.

‘Don’t Trust Smugglers’

Mr Nwagbo now warns others not to take similar risks.

“Smugglers don’t care about your life. They only care about your money,” he said. “It’s not worth losing your limbs — or your life.”

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said 99 migrants, including Mr Nwagbo, were intercepted at the Quebec border in February.

Canada has faced increasing pressure to address irregular border crossings in recent years, particularly via routes such as Roxham Road — a common path for asylum seekers travelling from the US.

Mr Nwagbo’s case remains under review by Canadian authorities. For now, he lives with the consequences of a decision made in desperation.