The United States Government has temporarily suspended green card and citizenship applications filed by Nigerians and nationals of several other countries newly added to President Donald Trump’s expanded travel ban, according to a report by CBS News.

The decision marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on legal immigration and affects many foreign nationals who are already living in the United States and seeking permanent residency or American citizenship.

Earlier this month, the administration directed the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to freeze all immigration petitions, including applications for permanent residency and naturalisation, submitted by nationals of countries listed under the administration’s travel ban. The directive applies even to those who are lawfully present in the US.

The policy followed a series of immigration restrictions announced after a Thanksgiving week shooting in Washington, D.C., in which two National Guard soldiers were killed. The suspect in the attack was reportedly an Afghan national, prompting the administration to cite national security concerns as justification for the new measures.

In addition to halting green card and citizenship processing, the administration also suspended asylum decisions handled by USCIS and stopped the processing of immigration and visa applications by Afghan nationals.

On Tuesday, President Trump expanded the travel ban to include 20 additional countries, fully barring entry from five nations and partially restricting travel from another 15. Nigerians fall within the group facing partial restrictions under the new proclamation.

According to a US official who spoke anonymously to CBS News, the suspension of immigration applications has now been extended to nationals of all countries affected by the latest proclamation. For Nigerians, this means applications for permanent residency, citizenship, or changes in immigration status will not be processed until further notice.

The countries now affected by the pause include Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana’s neighbours such as Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as Angola, Gambia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and several others. Nations facing full bans include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow appeared to confirm the expansion in a social media post, stating that the agency is conducting a broad review of individuals identified under the president’s latest immigration proclamation in the interest of restoring “law and order” to the system.

Altogether, the latest travel ban now affects nationals from more than 60 percent of African countries and roughly one-fifth of countries worldwide.

The decision has triggered strong reactions among Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora. Critics argue that the move unfairly targets developing countries, damages diplomatic relations, and could have serious economic and social consequences. Many have also questioned the security rationale behind the policy.

Former senator Shehu Sani described the move as “a clear signal that migrants from developing countries are no longer welcome,” echoing widespread concerns that the new restrictions go beyond security and amount to blanket discrimination.