Immigration: Why US directs Nigerians, other nationals to return home for Green Card applications –USCIS Spokesman

*Zach Kahler, Spokesman of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, discloses the new policy will help to reduce the number of migrants remaining illegally in the American country after unsuccessful residency applications

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

As a policy strategy to reduce the number of migrants remaining illegally in the American country, the United States (US) Government Friday, May 22, 2026, directed Nigerians and other nationals applying for green cards return to their home countries to apply and complete the process.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which disclosed this development in a statement, said the new policy was aimed at restoring what it described as the “original intent” of US immigration law.

NCC releases regulatory instrument for MVNOs to ensure fair competition for stakeholders’ inputs

Zach Kahler, Spokesman of USCIS explained the policy statement also would help to reduce the number of migrants remaining illegally in the country after unsuccessful residency applications.

The statement also noted that, except in extraordinary circumstances, foreigners seeking adjustment of status would be required to process their residency applications through US consular offices abroad under the supervision of the United States Department of State henceforth.

The regulatory agency further said: “We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly.

“From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.”

Kahler noted in the statement: “This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes.

“When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency.”

On US citizenship and immigration services

The USCIS explained that the policy would particularly affect temporary visitors, including students, tourists, and workers who enter the United States on nonimmigrant visas.

The Spokesman of the agency further stated: “Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose.

“Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over.

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

In respect of the US Visa, the USCIS noted that routing residency applications through consular offices abroad would free up limited agency resources to focus on other immigration priorities in the country.

The agency will be opportune to dedicate more attention to applications involving victims of violent crimes, human trafficking cases, naturalisation requests, and other immigration services under its jurisdiction, noted the statement.

The statement added: “The law was written this way for a reason, and despite the fact that it has been ignored for years, following it will help make our system fairer and more efficient.”

It is recalled that US President Donald Trump, December 2025, temporarily halted the processing of green card and citizenship applications filed by Nigerians and nationals of other countries newly added to the US travel ban, agency report said.

The suspension affects legal immigration applications handled by the USCIS and mainly targets immigrants from selected African and Asian countries.

Many of those affected are already living legally in the United States and were seeking to adjust their immigration status or become American citizens.

The Trump administration directed USCIS to freeze all immigration petitions, including applications for permanent residency and citizenship, from nationals of 19 countries covered by the travel ban announced June last year.

Kindly Share This Story