The United States has announced a major change to its immigration process, directing Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking permanent residency to return to their home countries to apply for Green Cards, except in extraordinary circumstances.
In a statement issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said the policy is intended to restore what it described as the “original intent” of American immigration law and curb the number of migrants who remain in the country after unsuccessful residency applications.
USCIS spokesman, Zach Kahler, said applicants who are in the United States on temporary visas would generally no longer be allowed to use their stay in the country as a pathway to permanent residency.
“We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly. From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances,” Kahler said.
Under the new policy, foreigners seeking to adjust their immigration status will be required to process residency applications through US consular offices abroad under the supervision of the United States Department of State.
USCIS said the measure would particularly affect students, temporary workers and tourists admitted under non-immigrant visa categories.
“Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose. Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over. Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process,” the agency said.
Kahler argued that requiring applicants to return home before applying for permanent residency would reduce the number of people who remain in the United States illegally after their applications are denied.
“This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes. When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency,” he said.
The agency also maintained that shifting applications to overseas consular offices would free up resources for other immigration priorities, including cases involving victims of violent crime, human trafficking survivors and naturalisation applications.
“The law was written this way for a reason, and despite the fact that it has been ignored for years, following it will help make our system fairer and more efficient,” USCIS added.
The announcement comes amid broader immigration restrictions under the administration of Donald Trump. Last year, according to reports, processing of some Green Card and citizenship applications involving nationals from countries affected by US travel restrictions was temporarily suspended.
The measures affected legal immigrants already residing in the United States who were seeking to adjust their status or become American citizens, while immigration authorities were also instructed to freeze several petitions from nationals of countries covered by the travel ban.
