The United States government has temporarily stopped processing green card and citizenship applications submitted by Nigerians.
Gatekeepers News reports that U.S officials said it is part of a broader immigration restriction linked to President Donald Trump’s expanded travel ban
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been directed to freeze consideration of permanent residency and naturalisation petitions from Nigerian applicants and nationals of several other countries recently added to the travel restrictions, citing national security concerns and an ongoing review of vetting procedures.
The action follows a presidential proclamation signed this month, which expanded travel restrictions to countries described as having “persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information sharing” that could pose risks to U.S. national security and public safety.
Nigeria is among the 15 countries newly subject to partial travel restrictions, although the measures do not amount to a complete entry ban for its citizens.
The suspension is likely to affect many Nigerians currently seeking to adjust their immigration status or obtain U.S. citizenship, adding to uncertainty amid already tightening global immigration policies.
Officials say the pause will stay in place while authorities carry out a comprehensive review of screening and vetting processes, but no timetable for reopening the applications has been given.
The expanded travel ban also includes full entry bans on several other countries and partial restrictions for a wider group, a move that has drawn criticism from rights advocates who argue it unfairly impacts applicants from developing nations.
