The US has suspended green card and citizenship applications for Nigerians under an expanded travel ban, citing security vetting concerns.

A top US immigration official has confirmed that new visa restrictions are now actively being enforced. The policy directly halts the processing of green card and citizenship applications for nationals from newly listed countries, including Nigeria.

This action follows a formal proclamation signed by President Donald Trump earlier this week. The order expands existing travel restrictions to include countries believed to have insufficient security screening protocols.

Nigeria’s inclusion comes months after the US government labeled it a “country of particular concern.” This earlier designation was related to allegations of religious persecution.

The suspension is not a blanket ban for all Nigerian travellers. It specifically targets individuals seeking permanent residency (green cards) or citizenship through immigration petitions.

Authorities at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have been instructed to pause all such applications. The freeze is part of a broader review of vetting procedures for nations on the expanded list.

Alongside Nigeria, several other countries face partial restrictions. These include Angola, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, among others.

A separate category of nations faces a full entry ban. This list has been updated to include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and South Sudan, alongside Syria, Laos, and Sierra Leone.

The latest move extends policies first introduced last year, which placed partial limits on certain immigrants. Some countries, like Laos and Sierra Leone, have now been moved to the more severe “full ban” category.

The US government states the restrictions are necessary to address gaps in information sharing and identity management. Officials argue these gaps pose risks to national security and public safety.

For affected applicants, the directive means indefinite delays until the policy review is concluded or exemptions are granted.