The United States government has reportedly directed the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to suspend the processing of green card and citizenship applications submitted by Nigerians and nationals of several other countries newly added to an expanded US travel ban.
According to a report by CBS News on Thursday, a US government official said the directive was issued by the administration of President Donald Trump over national security concerns and as part of an ongoing review of immigration screening and vetting procedures.
The development follows a proclamation signed by President Trump on Tuesday, further restricting entry into the United States for citizens of countries considered high-risk. The proclamation cited “demonstrated, persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting and information-sharing” that allegedly pose threats to US national security and public safety.
Nigeria is among 15 additional countries newly placed under partial travel restrictions. Earlier, on October 31, Trump had designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” amid allegations of widespread violence against Christians.
Under the new directive, USCIS has expanded a freeze on immigration petitions, including applications for permanent residency and US citizenship, affecting nationals of the listed countries.
Countries affected
Full travel ban:
Burkina Faso
Mali
Niger
South Sudan
Syria
Laos
Sierra Leone
Partial travel restrictions:
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Côte d’Ivoire
Dominica
Gabon
Gambia
Malawi
Mauritania
Nigeria
Senegal
Tanzania
Tonga
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Previously affected countries:
Afghanistan
Burundi
Chad
Cuba
Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Libya
Myanmar
Somalia
Sudan
Togo
Turkmenistan
Yemen
Venezuela
The latest suspension builds on earlier restrictions announced in June, which imposed partial immigration limits on several countries. In the most recent proclamation, Laos and Sierra Leone were elevated from partial restrictions to a full entry ban, prompting USCIS to extend the suspension of immigration processing, including green card and citizenship applications.
