US Halts Green Card, Citizenship Processing for Nigerians, Others
The United States government has suspended the processing of new applications for permanent residency and citizenship for Nigerians and nationals of several other countries, triggering widespread concern among immigrants, foreign governments, and advocacy groups.
The decision, announced through internal directives to U.S. immigration agencies place a temporary freeze on key immigration benefits, including green cards and naturalization requests. Under the new policy, affected applications will neither be approved nor denied, effectively leaving thousands of applicants in prolonged uncertainty.
Immigration officials have also paused interviews, oath-taking ceremonies, and other procedural steps linked to these applications.
According to U.S. authorities, the move forms part of a broader review of immigration and vetting systems, following recent security concerns.
The administration argues that the pause is necessary to strengthen background checks and reassess existing pathways into the country. However, critics say the policy unfairly targets specific nationalities and undermines long-established legal migration routes.
Nigerians are among the most impacted, given the country’s long-standing educational, professional, and family migration ties with the United States. Many Nigerian applicants had already spent years navigating the complex immigration process, paying significant fees, and meeting strict eligibility requirements before the sudden suspension.
Beyond new applications, the policy has raised fears among immigrants already living legally in the U.S. Reports indicate that authorities may intensify reviews of previously granted citizenship and residency, particularly in cases where fraud or misrepresentation is suspected.
This has heightened anxiety within immigrant communities, even among those who believed their legal status was secure.
The suspension also comes amid wider immigration tightening measures, including changes to visa programs and increased scrutiny of diversity-based immigration channels.
Human rights groups and immigration lawyers have warned that the broad scope of the policy could separate families, disrupt careers, and discourage skilled migrants from considering the U.S. as a destination.
In Nigeria, the development has sparked reactions from prospective migrants and policymakers, who view the decision as another setback in bilateral people-to-people relations.
Many affected individuals are now exploring alternative destinations or considering legal action within the U.S. system to challenge the freeze.
While the U.S. government has not provided a clear timeline for when the suspension will be lifted, officials say the review process is ongoing.
As uncertainty lingers, applicants and their families remain in limbo, awaiting clarity on whether the pause will evolve into a permanent restriction or be reversed after the reassessment is completed.
For now, the policy marks a significant shift in the U.S. immigration practice, with far-reaching implications for Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking lawful permanent residence or citizenship in the country.
