United States President, Donald Trump, has directed Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking permanent residency in the US to return to their home countries to complete the green card application process.
Newsonspot reports that the new policy, announced on Friday by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, will apply except in cases described by authorities as “extraordinary circumstances.”
USCIS said the directive was aimed at restoring what it called the original framework of US immigration law.
In a statement, the agency said foreign nationals seeking to adjust their immigration status from within the US would now be required to process their residency applications through US consular offices abroad.
USCIS stated, “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 US temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.”
The agency said the new approach would strengthen compliance with immigration procedures and reduce the number of unsuccessful applicants who remain in the country after their cases are denied.
USCIS spokesman, Zach Kahler, said the policy would help prevent abuse of the immigration system and discourage unlawful stays.
Kahler said, “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.”
According to USCIS, the policy will primarily affect holders of non-immigrant visas, including international students, temporary workers and tourists.
The agency said such categories of immigrants entered the US for specific and temporary purposes.
The agency said, “Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the US 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 also argued that processing green card applications through overseas consular offices would allow it to redirect resources to other immigration responsibilities.
The agency said the change would enable it to focus more on applications involving victims of violent crimes, survivors of human trafficking, naturalisation requests and other services under its mandate.
“The law was written this way for a reason, and despite the fact that it has been ignored for years, following it will help make our system fairer and more efficient,” the statement added.
The directive comes amid broader immigration restrictions under the Trump administration.
In December 2025, the administration reportedly suspended the processing of green card and citizenship applications submitted by Nigerians and nationals of several other countries affected by a US travel ban.
The suspension reportedly affected legal immigration applications handled by USCIS and targeted applicants from selected African and Asian countries.
Many of those affected were said to be legally residing in the US and seeking permanent residency or citizenship.
The administration also directed USCIS to halt immigration petitions, including applications for permanent residency and naturalisation, from nationals of 19 countries covered by a travel ban announced in June.
The move followed a Thanksgiving week shooting in Washington, D.C., in which two National Guard soldiers were injured. US authorities alleged that the attack was carried out by an Afghan national.
The latest policy is expected to affect thousands of prospective immigrants, including Nigerians, who may now be required to leave the US and complete their residency applications through American diplomatic missions in their countries of origin.
