U.S travel ban will not affect permanent residents, green card holders - Immigration expert

Andrew Thomas, a Massachusets-based immigration attorney has clarified that Nigerians who are permanent residents of the United States (US) and green card holders will not be affected by the travel ban placed on Nigeria and other countries.

As an immigration expert, he admitted that the scope of the proclamation has been widely misunderstood.

Speaking during a televised interview, He added that certain parolees and waiver-eligible applicants are also exempt, provided they return to the US before the policy takes effect. “It doesn’t affect them as long as they stay on the safe side and return before January 1, 2026, when the proclamation takes effect,” he explained.

“If you are a citizen of one of the listed countries and you are already a green card holder, you can go and come as you please,” Thomas said. “If you’re already admitted into the United States, this proclamation does not affect you.”

The US recently imposed a partial travel ban on Nigerians, which restricts entry across several visa categories in a move that has sparked concern among students, business travellers and families with ties to the US.

The new measures, announced in a statement published on the White House website on Tuesday, were introduced by the Donald Trump administration, which cited national security concerns, identity verification challenges and passport integrity issues as justification for the decision.

Under the restrictions, Nigerians seeking entry on B1 and B2 visas for business and tourism, as well as F, M and J visas covering academic studies, vocational training and exchange programmes, are now barred from entering the US.

US authorities also referenced the activities of radical Islamist groups in Nigeria and the country’s prolonged security crisis as factors influencing the policy shift.

Legal authority behind the proclamation

According to Thomas, the administration is relying on long-standing provisions of US immigration law to justify the restrictions. “The president derives his authority from sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act,” he said, noting that these provisions grant the US president “broad powers to suspend or restrict entry on any class of non-immigrant visa”.

The administration has framed the policy as a response to what it describes as weaknesses in identity verification systems and passport integrity in affected countries.

Visas approved, entry not guaranteed

One of the most significant implications of the new rules, Thomas warned, is that holding a valid visa may no longer be enough to guarantee entry into the United States.

“Even if you have a visa before January 1, 2026, entry is not guaranteed,” he said. “Admission is subject to inspection by a Customs and Border Protection officer, and under this proclamation, you may not be admitted.”

The restrictions apply not only to new visa applicants but also to individuals outside the US who already hold valid B1, B2, F, M or J visas and are seeking entry.

Thomas also pointed to the timing of the decision, noting that the US is preparing to host major global events. “The US is hosting the world cup, and even though Nigeria may not have qualified, the impact on travel and international engagement is something to watch,” he added.

A policy under review

The restrictions are not necessarily permanent as Thomas noted that such proclamations are typically reviewed every six months. “It’s always up for review within 180 days,” he said, suggesting that diplomatic pressure and legal action could influence its future.

For now, however, the policy has introduced fresh uncertainty for Nigerians hoping to study, work, do business or reunite with family in the US, a reminder of how quickly immigration rules can shift, and how deeply they can affect lives across borders.

Ngozi Ekugo

Ngozi Ekugo is a Senior Correspondent at BusinessDay. She holds a Masters in management from the University of Lagos, an undergraduate from University of Lagos, and is in an alumni of Queen's College. Shes currently an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). She has a brief experience at Goldman sachs, London in its Human Capital Management division. She is interested in human capital development and is leveraging her varied experience across sectors to report labour and global mobility trends for stakeholders to make informed decisions.