Nigeria Remains Barred as Trump Partially Eases Asylum Freeze
Nigeria is among 39 nations excluded from a recent relaxation of asylum restrictions by the United States government. The Trump administration has lifted a temporary “adjudicative hold” for several countries, but maintained the freeze for those deemed high-risk. This crackdown followed the 2025 shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., an attack allegedly carried out by an Afghan asylee. While some nations have seen their processing resume, Nigeria remains stuck in a secondary tier of heightened scrutiny.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Sunday that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has only resumed cases for “thoroughly screened” applicants from non-high-risk territories. Officials stated that this selective easing allows the government to focus its vetting resources on more complex cases. For Nigerians, however, the “maximum screening” protocols remain in place without a clear end date. The administration argues that these measures are essential to rectify what it calls the “lax” vetting of the previous era.
This specific exclusion stems from a December 2025 proclamation by President Donald Trump. That order restricted entry for nationals from 15 countries, including Angola, Benin, Senegal, and Nigeria, citing national security and counterterrorism objectives. The policy distinguishes between immigrants and non-immigrants but effectively throttles legal pathways for both. The White House maintains that these countries do not currently meet the rigorous data-sharing standards required by U.S. intelligence.
The freeze extends far beyond those seeking refuge from persecution. The administration has also suspended legal immigration applications for work permits, green cards, and American citizenship for nationals of the 39 affected countries. This broad suspension suggests a fundamental tightening of the entire U.S. legal immigration system. Even those who have lived in America for years under legal status now find their pathways to permanency blocked.
Pro-immigration advocates have criticised the move, accusing the administration of punishing law-abiding immigrants for the actions of a single individual. They argue that the policy targets legal migrants who are already complying with stringent federal rules. Conversely, Trump administration officials insist the policies combat systemic fraud and bolster public safety. They view the current “travel ban” list as a necessary shield against foreign policy risks.
The second Trump administration has also moved to re-examine the status of refugees admitted under the Biden presidency. This includes efforts to restrict work permits for those awaiting asylum hearings. The climate for Nigerian professionals and families seeking a future in the United States has turned significantly more hostile. For now, the “adjudicative hold” ensures that thousands of Nigerian files will remain gather dust in federal offices.