Donald Trump has ordered Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking permanent residency in the United States to return to their home countries to complete their green card applications.
The new directive, announced on Friday by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, will apply to most applicants except in what authorities described as “extraordinary circumstances.”
According to USCIS, the policy is intended to restore the original structure of US immigration law by requiring foreigners already in the country on temporary visas to process residency applications through American consulates abroad.
“We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly,” the agency stated.
“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.”
USCIS explained that the policy is expected to improve compliance with immigration procedures and reduce the number of unsuccessful applicants remaining illegally in the US after their applications are denied.
Agency spokesman Zach Kahler said the move would help curb abuse of the immigration system and discourage unlawful residency.
“This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes,” Kahler said.
The new rule is expected to mainly affect holders of non-immigrant visas, including international students, temporary workers and tourists.
USCIS noted that such visa categories were created for short-term and specific purposes, not as pathways to permanent residency.
“Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the US for a short time and for a specific purpose,” the agency explained.
“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.”
The agency also stated that transferring green card processing overseas would free up resources to handle other immigration responsibilities, including cases involving victims of violent crimes, survivors of human trafficking, and naturalisation applications.
The directive is part of broader immigration restrictions introduced under the Trump administration.
In December 2025, the administration reportedly suspended the processing of green card and citizenship applications submitted by Nigerians and citizens of several other countries affected by a US travel ban.
The suspension reportedly impacted legal immigrants already residing in the US who were seeking permanent residency or citizenship.
The latest development is expected to affect thousands of prospective immigrants, including Nigerians, who may now have to leave the US and complete their residency applications through American embassies or consulates in their home countries.