Update: on June 5th, 2026, a Federal District Court found the 39 Country pause (which includes Nigeria) unlawful. Please note this decision only applies to the USCIS portion of the case (I-129F, I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131, N-400, and more). Not to Consular Processing (Embassy Visa). Those travel Bans are still there. Moreover, the government may appeal the Federal District Court decision. We still do not know what will happen with these policies.
If you’re part of any Nigerian immigration Facebook group or online community right now, you’ve probably seen a flood of posts ranging from helpful to dangerously misleading. Some people are reporting USCIS approvals and telling others not to worry. Others are panicking. The truth, as usual, sits somewhere in the middle, but it is serious, and every Nigerian navigating the U.S. immigration system needs to understand exactly what is happening and why it matters to their case.
Here is a clear, factual breakdown of where things stand as of early 2026.
What Is the Travel Ban, and Does It Apply to Nigeria?
Yes. Nigeria is currently subject to U.S. entry restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 10998, signed on December 16, 2025, and effective January 1, 2026. This proclamation expanded an earlier June 2025 travel ban (Proclamation 10949) that initially covered 19 countries. The December expansion brought the total to 39 countries plus individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents.
Nigeria falls under what is called a partial suspension category. This means the entry of Nigerian nationals as immigrants, those seeking green cards and permanent residency, is suspended. The partial suspension also covers certain non-immigrant visa categories, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas.
This is not a rumor. It is official U.S. government policy published by the White House and the Department of State.
The stated reasons for Nigeria’s inclusion involve concerns about visa overstay rates and cooperation on repatriation matters. The proclamation has no stated expiration date, though the Secretary of State is required to report to the President every 180 days on whether the restrictions should continue.
The USCIS Processing Pause: What It Means for Your Application
Here is where things get even more complicated, and where a lot of misinformation is spreading online.
Separate from the travel ban itself, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194 on January 1, 2026, which placed a hold on the processing and final adjudication of immigration benefit requests filed by nationals of travel ban countries, including Nigeria. This memo was built on an earlier memo from December 2, 2025, and significantly expanded its scope.
What does this mean in plain language? If you have any of the following pending with USCIS, your case is currently subject to a processing pause*:
- Marriage-based green card petitions (I-130)
- Adjustment of Status applications (I-485), that is, applying for a green card while inside the United States
- Employment Authorization Documents (EAD/work permits) tied to a pending green card application
- I-140 immigrant petitions (EB-1, EB-2, including NIW/National Interest Waiver cases)
- Employment-based nonimmigrant petitions such as H-1B, L-1, and O-1
USCIS will still accept your application and issue a receipt notice. However, receipt of your case does not mean it will be adjudicated on a normal timeline. The policy memo is explicit: final adjudication is on hold pending a “comprehensive review.” There is no stated deadline for how long this review period will last.
Additionally, USCIS has indicated it will re-review already approved immigration benefits for Nigerian nationals who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021. If you received an approval in recent years, that approval could potentially be subject to renewed scrutiny.
*Note that minor exceptions for some case types exist.
One Critical Distinction: The USCIS Pause Is Broader Than the Travel Ban
This is one of the most important things people are getting wrong in online communities. The travel ban has several exceptions, for example, lawful permanent residents, dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-banned country, and people who already held valid visas before January 1, 2026.
The USCIS processing pause does not include those same exceptions. According to immigration attorneys who have reviewed the memo, the pause applies to benefit requests for individuals who were born in or are citizens of travel ban countries, meaning even if you hold dual citizenship with a non-banned country, your USCIS applications may still be affected.
This distinction matters enormously. You could be exempt from the travel ban but still have your green card application frozen at USCIS.
What About Approvals People Are Claiming to Receive?
You may have seen posts in Nigerian immigration groups from people saying they received approvals despite all of this. Is that possible? Yes, it is. Immigration policy implementation is often inconsistent, especially in the early weeks of a new directive. Some cases may slip through. Case officers may exercise discretion. Exceptions for cases deemed to be in the “national interest” are built into the memo.
But here is the key point: an approval that someone else received is not a reliable indicator of what will happen with your case. The official policy is a pause. The fact that the government sometimes does the opposite of what it says does not make the policy safe to ignore. If you are planning your life around your case being approved in the next few months, a job offer, housing, international travel, or family reunification, you need to factor in this pause.
What You Should Do Right Now
The most important step anyone in this situation can take is to consult with a licensed immigration attorney who is actively tracking these policy changes. This is not the moment to rely solely on advice from Facebook groups, however well-intentioned. The legal landscape is shifting rapidly.
A few practical notes:
Do not stop filing if you have a pending case. Filing is still permitted, and your place in line may matter once the pause is lifted. Timely filing can also preserve certain rights and protections.
Expect Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs). USCIS has stated it will continue processing cases up to the point of final adjudication, meaning you may still receive RFEs. Responding promptly and thoroughly is critical.
Avoid unnecessary international travel if you are in the U.S. on a visa or with a pending adjustment of status application. The travel ban and reentry risks under the current environment create serious complications for departures.
Check for legal challenges. Lawsuits have already been filed challenging the USCIS adjudication pause under the Administrative Procedure Act. Courts may ultimately intervene. Stay informed and connected to credible legal sources.
The Bottom Line
Nigeria is subject to both a partial entry suspension under Proclamation 10998 and a USCIS benefit processing pause under Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194. Both took effect in January 2026. If you have a marriage green card, an employment-based petition, an adjustment of status application, or a work permit application pending with USCIS, your case is likely affected. The duration of this pause is unknown. Approved cases are also being re-reviewed.
This is a difficult and uncertain time. But the best thing the Nigerian immigrant community can do is stay informed with accurate information, work with qualified legal counsel, and avoid making major decisions based on anecdotal reports in online groups. Knowledge is protection.
This post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and policies are subject to rapid change. Please consult a licensed immigration attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
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