The administration of United States President Donald Trump has unveiled a major immigration policy shift that would require Nigerians and other foreign nationals residing temporarily in the United States to return to their home countries before applying for permanent residency, commonly known as a Green Card.
The announcement, made through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), marks one of the most sweeping immigration changes introduced under Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown.
What the New Policy Means
Under the new directive, foreign nationals currently in the United States on temporary visas including students, tourists, and temporary workers will no longer be allowed to complete Green Card adjustment processes from within the country except under what officials described as “extraordinary circumstances.”
According to USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler, the policy is aimed at restoring what the administration calls the “original intent” of American immigration law.
The administration argued that requiring applicants to process their residency applications from their countries of origin would reduce visa overstays and discourage undocumented residency after application denials.
Nigerians Among Countries Affected
Nigeria is among several countries affected by recent U.S. immigration restrictions under Trump-era policies. Earlier presidential proclamations introduced partial entry suspensions and tighter visa rules targeting countries accused of high visa overstay rates and weak vetting systems.
Reports indicate that the restrictions affect several immigration categories, including immigrant visas and selected temporary visa classifications.
Immigration analysts say the latest policy could significantly affect Nigerians already living in the U.S. under student visas, work permits, or temporary residency arrangements who planned to transition into permanent residency without leaving the country.
Concerns Over Family Separation and Delays
The new policy has generated strong criticism from immigration lawyers, advocacy groups, and policy experts who warn that the measure could lead to prolonged family separation, economic disruption, and severe processing backlogs.
Critics also fear the policy could disproportionately impact immigrants from countries facing diplomatic restrictions, security concerns, or limited U.S. consular operations.
Some immigration attorneys argued that applicants who leave the United States for consular processing may face uncertainty regarding re-entry timelines, visa approvals, or additional security reviews.
Broader Immigration Crackdown Under Trump
The Green Card policy is the latest in a series of hardline immigration measures implemented under Trump’s administration since returning to office in 2025.
Recent actions reportedly include:
- Expanded travel and visa restrictions
- Suspension of immigrant visa processing in several countries
- Revocation of over 100,000 visas
- Stricter immigration vetting procedures
- Increased scrutiny of student and exchange visa holders
The White House has defended the measures as necessary steps to strengthen national security and enforce immigration compliance.
Uncertainty for Current Applicants
As of now, uncertainty remains over whether the new policy will apply retroactively to applicants with pending Green Card adjustment cases already filed within the United States.
Immigration advocates have advised affected individuals to seek immediate legal counsel as implementation guidelines continue to emerge.
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