The United States government has expanded its suspension of legal immigration applications to cover nationals of 20 additional countries, including Nigeria, following an update to President Donald Trump’s travel restrictions.
In June, Trump signed an executive order imposing a full travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, while placing heightened restrictions on seven others. Earlier this month, he directed US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to freeze all immigration petitions — including applications for US citizenship and permanent residency — filed by nationals of the affected countries who are already in the United States.
On Tuesday, the administration widened the list of restricted countries. Five new countries were added to the full travel ban, while 15 others were placed under partial restrictions.
Nigeria is among the countries facing a partial suspension, alongside Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The White House said Nigeria was added due to security and immigration concerns, citing the presence of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State, which it said complicate screening and vetting processes. It also referenced visa overstay rates, noting that Nigeria recorded a 5.56 percent overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visas and 11.90 percent for F, M, and J visas.
According to CBS News, a US official confirmed that the expanded suspension now applies to nationals of countries newly added to the proclamation. The full ban affects Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria.
The policy is expected to impact many legal immigrants currently in the US who are seeking to adjust their status, obtain permanent residency, or apply for citizenship.
