Trump shares welfare data showing low Nigerian usage, yet travel restrictions remain
President Donald Trump shared data on Truth Social Sunday showing Nigerian migrants in the US have low welfare dependency rates compared to other countries. Nigeria ranks around 93rd out of 118 countries with only 33.3% of Nigerian immigrants receiving US welfare benefits—placing it near the bottom of the list alongside China (32%) and Macedonia (33%).
This contrasts sharply with top-ranking countries where usage exceeds 60%, including Bhutan at 81%, Yemen (75.2%), Somalia (71.9%), and Dominican Republic (68.1%). The data included 118 countries across Asia, Africa, and Oceania dominating the high-usage tier.
Despite these low figures, Nigerian migrants face specific US travel restrictions under a December proclamation. The restrictions bar entry for Nigerians seeking green cards or B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. The US government cited operations of radical Islamist groups and persistent security crises as justification—not welfare usage.
Countries with similar or higher welfare dependency rates face no restrictions. China (32%), Barbados (33.9%), Colombia, and the Bahamas have comparable figures but no travel bans. However, several high-ranking countries including Somalia, Afghanistan, and Yemen do face restrictions.
The inconsistency raises questions about how welfare data actually influences US immigration policy. For Nigerians planning travel or study in the US, the key takeaway is that travel restrictions remain active regardless of welfare statistics, based on security concerns rather than economic dependency metrics.