The United States has directed Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking green cards to return to their home countries to complete the application process, except in extraordinary circumstances.

The directive, issued on Friday, was announced by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services as part of a broader immigration policy shift under President Donald Trump.

According to the agency, the new rule is aimed at restoring what it described as the “original intent” of US immigration law.

USCIS said applicants seeking adjustment of status must now process their residency applications through US consular offices abroad under the supervision of the US Department of State.

The agency stated, “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.”

USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler said the policy would reduce cases of migrants remaining in the country after unsuccessful residency applications.

“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,” he said.

The agency explained that the policy would affect temporary visa holders, including students, tourists and workers in the United States.

It said such non-immigrants are expected to leave after their authorised stay, adding that their visit should not serve as a pathway to permanent residency.

“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,” the statement added.

USCIS further said routing applications through consular offices abroad would allow it focus more on other immigration priorities.

It added that resources would be redirected toward cases involving victims of violent crimes, human trafficking, naturalisation requests and other immigration services.

“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,” the agency said.

Recall that in December 2025, the Trump administration temporarily halted processing of green card and citizenship applications from Nigerians and nationals of other countries affected by US travel restrictions, according to a CBS News report.

The suspension affected legal immigration applications handled by USCIS and targeted immigrants from selected African and Asian countries.

Many of those affected were already residing legally in the United States and seeking to adjust their immigration status or obtain citizenship.

The administration had also frozen immigration petitions from nationals of 19 countries covered by the travel ban introduced in June, following a security incident involving an Afghan national in Washington DC.