US suspends immigrant visas for Nigeria, 74 others effective immediately
The United States has suspended immigrant visa processing for Nigeria and 74 other countries, effective immediately. The Trump administration announced the blanket suspension Wednesday, citing concerns about foreign nationals accessing public welfare benefits. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the pause allows reassessment of immigration procedures to prevent 'abuse of America's immigration system.'
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on X that affected countries include Somalia, Russia, Iran, Brazil, Egypt, and Thailand—nations with varied relations with the US. The full 75-country list includes Ghana, Ethiopia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and most African nations, plus Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Lebanon, and several Caribbean and Asian countries. The State Department did not immediately release the complete list.
This suspension affects only immigrant visas, not tourist, business, or other non-immigrant categories. However, the administration has vowed to vet all applicants' social media histories. The move follows last week's announcement that over 100,000 visas have been revoked since Trump's return—a one-year record. Department of Homeland Security reports show 605,000 deportations, with 2.5 million others leaving voluntarily.
Trump has openly stated preference for reducing non-European immigration, previously calling Somalis 'garbage' who should 'go back.' For Nigerians with pending US immigration applications, what alternative pathways remain, and how should families with approved visas proceed given this sudden policy shift?