America imposes new restrictions on Nigerians seeking residency

 Nigeria - Boubacar Sani:

US President Donald Trump directed that the return citizens Nigerians and nationals foreigners Other applicants for a green card will return to their home countries to complete the process, with some exceptions.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) unveiled its new immigration policy on Friday, stating that the move aims to restore the “spirit of the law” regarding U.S. immigration laws.

Obtaining residency through consulates abroad

According to the agency, foreigners seeking permanent residency in the United States will now have to process their applications through U.S. consular offices abroad under the supervision of the State Department.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stated: “We are returning to the spirit of the law to ensure that foreigners behave properly within our country’s immigration system.”.

From now on, any foreigner who is temporarily in the United States and wishes to obtain a green card must return to their country of origin to submit the application, except in exceptional circumstances.”.

The new policy reduces the number of immigrants

Department spokesman Zach Kaler said the new policy is expected to standardize and reduce the number of immigrants who remain in the country illegally after their residency applications are rejected.

Caller added: “This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended, rather than encouraging the exploitation of loopholes. When foreigners apply from their home countries, it reduces the need to search for and deport those who decide to go into hiding and remain in the United States illegally after being denied residency.”.

The agency explained that this directive will primarily affect temporary visitors, including students, tourists, and workers with non-immigrant visas.

The statement also said: “Non-immigrants, such as students, temporary workers, or people coming on tourist visas, come to the United States for a short period and for a specific purpose. Our system is designed so that they leave when their visit is over. Their visit should not be the first step in the process of obtaining a green card.”.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship considered that transferring residency applications to consular offices abroad would help free up resources for other immigration priorities, including naturalization applications, human trafficking cases, and applications related to victims of violent crime.

The agency continued: “The law was written this way for a good reason, and despite the fact that it has been ignored for years, following it will help make the system fairer and more efficient.”.

It is worth noting that in December 2025, the Trump administration temporarily halted the processing of green card and citizenship applications submitted by Nigerians and citizens of other countries that were recently added to the US travel ban.

Reports indicate that this comment affected legal immigrants already residing in the United States who were seeking permanent residency or citizenship.

The administration also directed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to freeze immigration applications from citizens of 19 countries included in the travel ban announced in June, following the Thanksgiving week shooting that killed two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., allegedly perpetrated by an Afghan national.