In a development that has sent waves of concern through affected communities, the United States government has suspended the processing of green card and citizenship applications for Nigerians and citizens of several other countries recently added to its expanded travel ban. The move, reported by CBS News, comes as the Trump administration continues to review immigration screening and vetting procedures, citing national security and public safety concerns.
This directive follows a proclamation signed on Tuesday, December 16, which further tightens entry into the US for nationals of countries deemed high risk. The White House described these nations as having “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information sharing,” which they claim pose a threat to US security. Nigeria is now among 15 countries under partial restrictions.
The background to this policy traces back to October 31, when Nigeria was labeled a “country of particular concern” following allegations of a Christian genocide. Now, the suspension impacts countries under full travel bans, such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Laos, and Sierra Leone. It also affects countries under partial restrictions, including Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Nationals of previously restricted countries—Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, Cuba, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Yemen, and Venezuela—also remain affected.
This latest action expands restrictions first announced in June. Notably, Laos and Sierra Leone have been moved from partial limits to a full entry ban. As a result, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended its freeze on immigration petitions, including applications for permanent residency and citizenship, while the administration continues to reassess national security and immigration policies.
The announcement has raised questions and concerns among immigrants and applicants, many of whom are left in limbo, unsure when normal processing might resume. Immigration experts warn that these moves, coupled with the ongoing review, could lead to extended delays for those hoping to secure permanent residency or citizenship in the United States.
For Nigerians and other affected nationals, the suspension underscores the heightened scrutiny placed on certain countries and the impact of political and security considerations on immigration policies. While the US administration frames the move as a necessary step for national security, for many applicants, it represents an unexpected roadblock on the path to legal residence and citizenship.
As the situation develops, affected individuals are advised to monitor official USCIS announcements and seek guidance from legal and immigration experts to navigate the evolving restrictions.
