United States government has suspended the processing of green card and citizenship applications submitted by Nigerians and nationals of several other countries newly added to President Donald Trump’s expanded travel ban.
Green Card
According to a report by CBS News, the directive was issued to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) following a proclamation signed by Trump on Tuesday, Dec. 16, which further restricted entry into the United States for nationals of countries classified as high risk.
The White House said the affected countries had “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information sharing” that threaten U.S. national security and public safety.
Nigeria was among 15 additional countries placed under partial restrictions, while nations such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Laos and Sierra Leone were placed under full entry bans.
The suspension also applies to nationals of previously restricted countries including Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, Cuba, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Yemen and Venezuela.
Trump had earlier, on Oct. 31, designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” following allegations of religious persecution.
The latest action expands restrictions announced in June, with Laos and Sierra Leone moved from partial limits to a full entry ban, prompting USCIS to extend the freeze on immigration petitions, including applications for permanent residency and citizenship.
