* Donald Trump,
US President.
The Pathfinder
Saturday December 20, 2025
Please, share this story
The United States government has expanded its travel restrictions, suspending green card and citizenship applications from Nigerians and nationals of several other countries over security and immigration vetting concerns.
A US government official disclosed that the directive was issued to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) following a new proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, which widens the scope of the administration’s travel ban.
According to the official, the suspension affects countries newly added to the US travel restrictions list, citing what the White House described as serious shortcomings in screening, vetting and information-sharing systems that could threaten US national security and public safety.
Nigeria is among 15 countries placed under partial travel restrictions, a move that has now led to a freeze on immigration benefits such as permanent residency and naturalisation.
President Trump had earlier, on October 31, designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern”, following allegations of religious violence in the country.
Countries under full US travel ban
The following countries are now subject to a full travel ban, with their nationals barred from entering the United States:
Burkina Faso
Mali
Niger
South Sudan
Syria
Laos
Sierra Leone
Countries under partial travel restrictions
Nationals of the countries listed below face partial restrictions, including the suspension of green card and citizenship applications:
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Côte d’Ivoire
Dominica
Gabon
Gambia
Malawi
Mauritania
Nigeria
Senegal
Tanzania
Tonga
Zambia
Zimbabwe
These countries were already affected by earlier US travel or immigration restrictions:
Afghanistan
Burundi
Chad
Cuba
Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Libya
Myanmar
Somalia
Sudan
Togo
Turkmenistan
Yemen
Venezuela
US officials said the latest action builds on earlier restrictions announced in June, which limited immigration processing for several countries. Under the new proclamation, Laos and Sierra Leone were upgraded from partial restrictions to a full travel ban, leading USCIS to extend the suspension of immigration applications.
The US government said the measures would remain in force pending a comprehensive review of immigration vetting procedures, stressing that the restrictions are aimed at strengthening border security and protecting national interests.
We are here to serve you news and information.
Your donations, reactions and advert placement are welcome.
Contact us on 08033783144 (WhatsApp)
08023469999(WhatsApp)
idowuadelusi@gmail.com,thepathfindernews0@gmail.com
Follow our reports also on X @idowuadelusi and Facebook (Idowu Oluwole Adelusi)