Donald Trump, United States president has directed Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking permanent residency in the US to return to their home countries to process their green card applications, except in extraordinary circumstances.
The new immigration directive was announced on Friday by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which said the policy was aimed at restoring what it described as the “original intent” of US immigration law.
According to the agency, foreign nationals seeking adjustment of status will now be required to complete their residency applications through US consular offices abroad under the supervision of the State Department.
“We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly. From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances,” the statement read.
Zach Kahler, USCIS spokesman said the measure would help reduce cases of migrants remaining in the country illegally after unsuccessful residency applications.
“This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes. When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency,” Kahler stated.
The agency explained that the policy would largely affect temporary visitors, including students, tourists and workers admitted into the US on nonimmigrant visas.
“Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose. Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over. Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process,” USCIS added.
The agency further argued that processing residency applications through consular offices abroad would allow it to channel more resources towards other immigration priorities, including applications involving victims of violent crimes, human trafficking cases and naturalisation requests.
USCIS maintained that the policy aligns with existing immigration laws and would make the system “fairer and more efficient.”
The latest development comes months after the Trump administration temporarily halted the processing of green card and citizenship applications filed by Nigerians and nationals of other countries affected by a US travel ban announced in 2025.
The suspension reportedly affected legal immigrants already residing in the US who were seeking permanent residency or American citizenship.