The United States government has introduced a major immigration policy change that could affect thousands of Nigerians and other foreign nationals living in America on temporary visas.
Under the new directive, applicants seeking permanent residency through Green Cards must now return to their home countries to complete the process instead of adjusting their status while staying in the US.
The announcement came from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, widely known as USCIS.
The agency said the move would restore what it described as the “original intent” of US immigration law while tightening control over immigration procedures.
According to USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler, the new approach aims to reduce the number of migrants who remain in the United States illegally after unsuccessful residency applications.
Kahler explained that foreign nationals currently living in the US temporarily would no longer use their stay in America as the first stage of the Green Card process.
Instead, they must return to their countries and apply through American consular offices supervised by the United States Department of State.
He stated that the immigration system works better when applicants follow the legal process from abroad rather than exploiting loopholes that allow them to remain in the country after visa expiration or denied residency requests.
The policy directly affects nonimmigrant visa holders, including international students, tourists, temporary workers, and exchange visitors.
USCIS stressed that these visas were created for short-term visits tied to specific purposes and not as pathways to permanent residency inside the US.
The agency also argued that processing Green Card applications abroad would free up limited immigration resources.
Officials said USCIS would then focus more attention on naturalisation requests, human trafficking investigations, violent crime victim applications, and other immigration priorities.
The latest move adds to a broader immigration crackdown under the administration of Donald Trump.
In December 2025, the administration temporarily halted Green Card and citizenship applications filed by Nigerians and nationals from several African and Asian countries linked to the expanding US travel ban.
Reports at the time revealed that many affected immigrants already lived legally in the United States and had hoped to adjust their immigration status or secure American citizenship.
The suspension also covered immigration petitions involving permanent residency and naturalisation applications from nationals of 19 countries included in the travel restrictions announced in June.
The new directive has already triggered concern among Nigerian migrants, international students, and workers who fear the policy could complicate residency plans, increase travel costs, and create longer processing delays.
Immigration analysts believe the decision may significantly reshape how Nigerians approach relocation and residency opportunities in America.
Many applicants now face the possibility of leaving the US before securing approval, a process that could expose them to uncertainty, visa complications, and re-entry risks.
The development arrives at a time when immigration remains one of the most politically sensitive issues in the United States ahead of another heated election cycle.
Trump’s immigration agenda continues to focus on stricter border enforcement, tighter visa controls, and reduced pathways for migrants seeking long-term residency.
For many Nigerians dreaming of permanent residency in America, the policy marks a dramatic shift that could redefine the future of Green Card applications for years to come.
