Nigerians Hit as Trump Orders Green Card Applicants to Return Home

United States President Donald Trump has ordered Nigerians and other foreign nationals applying for green cards to return to their home countries to complete the process, ending a long-standing immigration practice that allowed many applicants to adjust their status while living in the U.S.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the new directive on Friday as part of broader immigration reforms under the Trump administration.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, “An alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply.”

The agency added that “this policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes.”

The new policy affects temporary visa holders, including students, tourists and workers already living in the United States.

Previously, many immigrants could apply for permanent residency through a process known as “adjustment of status” without leaving the country.

USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler said the administration was “returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly.”

He added, “Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process.”

Immigration analysts warned that the policy could affect more than one million pending applicants and disrupt families, jobs and businesses.

“This new policy will force thousands of LEGAL immigrants, including spouses of US citizens, to leave their homes, families, and jobs for weeks or even months to get their green card outside the U.S,” Congressman Chuy Garcia wrote on X.

The latest development follows earlier immigration restrictions imposed on Nigeria under expanded U.S. travel and visa control measures introduced by the Trump administration in 2025.

U.S. Census data shows that about 800,000 persons of Nigerian heritage lived in the country as of 2024. 

This includes U.S.-born Nigerian Americans, naturalized U.S. citizens, temporary visa holders, and lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders).