US Expands Travel Ban, Suspends Immigration Applications for Nigerians and Other Countries
The United States has announced a major expansion of its travel and immigration restrictions, affecting nationals from Nigeria and several other countries, following a new executive directive under the administration of Donald Trump.
Under the expanded policy, the U.S. government has temporarily suspended the processing of green card (permanent residency) and naturalisation (citizenship) applications for affected countries. The move also places partial or full travel restrictions on both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories.
Countries Affected by the Expanded Travel Ban
According to reports from international and regional media, the countries impacted include:
- Nigeria
- Burkina Faso
- Mali
- Niger
- Chad
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Eritrea
- Somalia
- Syria
- Yemen
Some of these countries face full travel bans, while others are subject to partial restrictions, particularly on immigrant visas, diversity visas, and adjustment-of-status applications.
What the Suspension Means
- New green card and citizenship applications from affected nationals will not be processed during the suspension period.
- Individuals already in the United States awaiting status adjustment or naturalisation interviews may experience delays.
- Certain exemptions may apply for diplomats, humanitarian cases, and special government-approved categories, but these are limited.
US Government’s Justification
U.S. officials say the expanded restrictions are based on national security assessments, citing concerns over identity verification systems, document integrity, and information-sharing gaps in the affected countries.
“This action is part of an ongoing review to ensure that immigration systems meet U.S. security standards,” a senior U.S. official was quoted as saying.
Reactions and Concerns
The decision has sparked widespread concern across Africa and the Middle East, especially among families, students, and skilled workers who have pending applications. Immigration advocates argue that the policy disrupts legal migration pathways and unfairly targets specific regions.
For Nigerians in particular, the suspension is expected to affect family reunification cases, employment-based green cards, and diversity visa winners.
Temporary but Under Review
Authorities emphasize that the suspension is not permanent and will be reviewed periodically. However, no specific timeline has been given for when processing may resume.