In a significant move impacting immigration hopefuls, United States authorities have officially suspended the processing of applications for green cards and citizenship filed by Nigerian nationals and citizens of several other countries. This action is directly tied to an expanded American travel ban instituted by the Trump administration.
National Security Concerns Drive Suspension
The suspension, which affects cases handled by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), followed a proclamation signed by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The US government cited national security concerns and identified what it called "demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing" by the affected nations. An official stated the move was necessary to review immigration screening procedures to protect public safety.
This development represents a major escalation for Nigerians seeking permanent residency or naturalization in the United States. Nigeria was placed under partial travel restrictions, a step that came after the country was earlier designated a "country of particular concern" by President Trump on October 31, 2025, following allegations of religious persecution.
Full List of Affected Countries Revealed
The suspension and travel restrictions apply to a broad list of nations. Some face a full travel ban, while others, like Nigeria, are under partial restrictions.
Countries under full travel ban:
- Burkina Faso
- Mali
- Niger
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
Countries under partial travel restrictions:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Dominica
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
The list also includes a group of countries previously affected by such measures, such as Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Venezuela.
Indefinite Delays and Broader Context
The immediate consequence of the suspension is that affected applicants cannot move forward with their green card or naturalization processes. Immigration legal experts have warned that the delays could be prolonged and potentially indefinite, depending on the outcome of the ongoing security assessment by US authorities.
This policy shift occurs amidst a broader hardening of the Trump administration's stance on immigration from several African nations. In related remarks, President Trump recently renewed harsh criticism of Somali immigrants, suggesting they should "go back to where they came from," which has intensified debates around the administration's immigration policies.
The suspension underscores the growing challenges faced by immigrants from the listed countries and marks a pivotal moment in US immigration policy under the current administration, with direct implications for thousands of Nigerian families and individuals awaiting a future in America.
