Trump Orders Green Card Seekers to Leave the US
President Donald Trump has issued a new immigration directive that requires temporary visa holders seeking permanent residency to return to their home countries to complete their Green Card applications. This policy overturns a 60-year-old protocol that allowed applicants to remain in the United States during the process.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has halted in-country processing, shifting the responsibility to US consulates abroad. This change affects thousands of Nigerians on F-1 student visas, H-1B work permits, and other temporary visas.
What the New Policy Means
The Trump administration argues that the policy closes loopholes and enforces the original intent of temporary visas. According to a Department of Homeland Security memo, non-immigrants like students and temporary workers should leave the US when their visit ends, not use it as a stepping stone to permanent residency.
Under the new rule, a student on an F-1 visa, a tech worker on an H-1B visa, or a tourist who marries a US citizen must leave the country before obtaining a Green Card. Exceptions are made only in extraordinary circumstances.
Impact on Nigerians
Thousands of Nigerian students, tech professionals, and corporate workers face relocation and career interruptions. The policy disrupts the typical route for elite Nigerian scholars, who often transition from F-1 visas to corporate roles via Optional Practical Training (OPT) and then to Green Card sponsorship.
The US Consulate in Lagos, already known for long wait times for visitor visas, will face severe backlogs. This could lead to multi-year delays for residency seekers, leaving applicants in legal limbo.
Mixed-status families are also affected. Nigerian spouses of US citizens may be forced to leave their homes, jobs, and partners in America to wait out an unpredictable consular review process in Nigeria.
Legal and Future Steps
The policy change has been announced, but the exact implementation date is unclear. US immigration law firms are preparing injunctions and class-action lawsuits to halt the order in federal courts. Legal experts advise Nigerians on temporary visas who are considering permanent residency to consult certified immigration attorneys before making any travel plans, as leaving the US could result in an extended stay in Nigeria.
