The United States government has officially suspended the processing of applications for permanent residency and citizenship submitted by Nigerians and nationals of several other countries. This decisive move comes as part of an expanded travel restriction policy enacted by the administration of President Donald Trump.
National Security Concerns Prompt Sweeping Directive
According to a report by CBS News, a U.S. government official confirmed that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been instructed to freeze these immigration petitions. The directive is a direct consequence of a presidential proclamation signed by Trump on Tuesday, December 16. The White House justifies the action by citing national security concerns and an ongoing, comprehensive review of immigration screening and vetting procedures.
The proclamation targets countries identified as having what the administration calls “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information sharing.” These deficiencies, the administration argues, pose a threat to U.S. national security and public safety, necessitating stricter entry controls.
Nigeria's Designation and the Full List of Affected Nations
Nigeria finds itself among 15 additional countries placed under partial travel restrictions. This follows an earlier designation by Trump on October 31, when Nigeria was labeled a “country of particular concern,” a move linked to allegations of religious persecution.
The latest action significantly widens the scope of earlier restrictions announced in June. It creates two tiers of affected countries:
- Full Travel Ban: Nationals from these countries face a complete entry suspension. The list includes Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Laos, and Sierra Leone.
- Partial Restrictions: This category, which includes Nigeria, faces specific limitations. The other nations under partial restrictions are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Furthermore, nationals from countries previously restricted continue to be affected. This list encompasses Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, Cuba, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Yemen, and Venezuela.
Implications and Ongoing Policy Review
The immediate consequence is a freeze on all related immigration petitions for individuals from the listed countries. This suspension applies specifically to applications for permanent residency (green cards) and U.S. citizenship.
The expansion also involved moving two countries—Laos and Sierra Leone—from partial limits to a full entry ban. This prompted USCIS to extend the immigration processing freeze accordingly. The Trump administration has indicated that this policy will remain in effect as it continues its broader review of immigration and national security protocols. This development marks a significant tightening of U.S. immigration policy, directly impacting thousands of applicants from across the globe, including a substantial number from Nigeria.
