US Tightens Green Card Rules: Nigerians Must Return Home to Apply

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a major policy shift. Foreigners temporarily residing in the US, including Nigerians, must now return to their home countries to apply for Green Cards. They can no longer adjust their immigration status from within the United States.

The change was announced on Friday through a policy memo issued by USCIS. The memo is supervised by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This is part of a broader crackdown on immigration under President Donald Trump, who has pursued mass deportations and stricter rules since returning to the White House.

What the Policy Says

According to USCIS, decisions on exceptional relief will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Immigration officers will assess each application individually. They will consider specific circumstances, supporting evidence, and humanitarian factors. There is no blanket decision for all applicants.

“An alien who is in the US temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply,” DHS said. The agency added that the policy ensures the immigration system operates according to existing laws. It is not meant to incentivise people to exploit perceived loopholes. “This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes,” DHS stated.

USCIS also noted that the new directive will help the agency redirect resources. It will allow them to handle other immigration-related applications more efficiently.

Criticism from Humanitarian Groups

Some humanitarian organisations have criticised the move. HIAS, a refugee support group, argued that the policy could force trafficking survivors and abused children to return to countries they originally fled. They say vulnerable migrants must now complete their Green Card applications in dangerous home nations.

Broader Immigration Crackdown

In August last year, the Trump administration proposed stricter visa duration rules for international students, cultural exchange participants, and foreign journalists. Under that proposal, student and exchange visitor visas would be limited to four years. Journalist visas would be shortened to about 240 days. Chinese journalists could face even shorter durations of about 90 days. Extensions are still possible but require more frequent renewals.

The administration has also intensified scrutiny of legal immigration. It has cancelled student visas and Green Cards for some university students over ideological concerns. It has withdrawn legal protections previously granted to hundreds of thousands of migrants. According to US State Department figures released in January this year, more than 100,000 visas have been revoked since Trump returned to office.

Birthright Citizenship and Nigerian Visas

Beyond policy adjustments, the Trump administration has explored other ways to reduce immigration. It attempted to alter birthright citizenship through an executive order. That order sought to end automatic citizenship for nearly everyone born on US soil. A court blocked the directive, and the US Supreme Court is expected to review it.

In July 2025, the United States introduced a new visa policy affecting Nigerians. Applicants for non-immigrant visas, including tourist and business travel, are now limited to single-entry visas valid for only three months. This replaced the previous arrangement that allowed multiple-entry visas with validity periods of up to five years, according to the US Embassy in Abuja.

A month earlier, reports indicated that Nigeria was among 36 countries being considered for possible travel restrictions. The US raised concerns about security cooperation and diplomatic requirements. A recent report by Nairametrics also indicated that the United States has increasingly become one of the most difficult destinations for Nigerians seeking relocation opportunities.