Trump govt resumes processing immigration benefits for Nigerians, 38 other nationalities

Citing national security concerns, the policies were initially imposed on 19 countries.

Victor Olorunfemi • June 13, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump [Credit: BBC]

President Donald Trump’s administration has announced that it will resume processing green card, work permit and citizenship applications for individuals from Nigeria and 38 other countries after White House ordered an indefinite pause last year.

In two separate proclamations signed in December 2025 and January 2026, Mr Trump had directed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to continue accepting immigration benefits applications from nationals from mostly African and Middle Eastern countries but must delay making a decision indefinitely.

Citing national security concerns, the policies were initially imposed on 19 countries before the Trump administration added 20 more, including Nigeria, leaving millions of immigrants from the affected nations in legal limbo, prompting non-governmentals and labour representing the victims to file a lawsuit against the USCIS.

Ruling on the case on June 5, Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence, Rhode Island, struck down the proclamations, accusing Mr Trump of making the decision without statutory and regulatory authority.

Responding to the judgement in a statement on Friday, USCIS stated that it disagreed with the decision of Mr McConnell but will comply with the verdict with the possibility of the agency conducting further judicial review after the court entered its final judgement on Thursday.

“USCIS strongly disagrees with the Court’s order but will follow its terms pending possible further judicial review,” the agency stated.

The USCIS added, “On June 5, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued an order in Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, et al. v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, et al., 26-cv-00132-JJM-PAS (D.RI.), vacating PM 602-0192, PM 602-0194, and PA 2025-26.

“The Court entered its final judgement on June 11, 2026. In this case, the plaintiffs are non-governmental organisations and labor unions who represent millions of individuals who filed immigration applications.”

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