U.S. directs Nigerians, other foreigners to apply for green card from home countries

The United States government has announced that foreigners seeking permanent residency through green cards must now apply from outside the country, a move that has drawn criticism from humanitarian groups.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) disclosed the policy change in a memo issued on Friday, instructing immigration officers to assess applications on a case-by-case basis and determine whether any exceptional relief should be granted.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees USCIS, individuals staying temporarily in the U.S. who wish to obtain a green card must return to their home countries to complete the application process through the State Department.

“An alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply,” the department said, adding that the policy is intended to ensure the immigration system operates as originally designed and to prevent exploitation of legal loopholes.

USCIS noted that the directive would also help streamline its workload, allowing the agency to focus resources on processing other immigration cases.

However, the decision has been strongly criticised by advocacy organisations, including HIAS, which warned that the policy could endanger vulnerable individuals. The group said victims of human trafficking, abused minors and other at-risk migrants could be forced to return to unsafe environments to complete their applications.

The development marks the latest in a series of immigration restrictions introduced under U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at tightening migration controls.

In the past year, the administration has shortened visa durations for students, cultural exchange participants and media workers. In addition, the State Department revealed in January that more than 100,000 visas had been revoked since Trump assumed office.

The new policy is expected to further intensify debate over U.S. immigration rules and their impact on migrants and asylum seekers.