From visa delays to digital snooping, new U.S. policies are rewriting the rules for Nigerians chasing the American dream.

Two months after President Donald Trump’s contentious tariff policy rattled global trade, his administration is doubling down on its ongoing battle against immigrants, this time targeting international students. Once again, this puts Nigerians in a tight position.

On May 27, 2025, the U.S. State Department issued an internal cable. It paused all new visa interview appointments for international students — effective immediately.

The cable, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, revealed that Trump’s administration is considering expanding social media screening and applicant vetting.

“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor … visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued [separate telegram], which we anticipate in the coming days,” the cable read.

For Nigerian students, who rank high on the list of international students in U.S. colleges, this pause is more than a bureaucratic hiccup. It’s a devastating roadblock.

Student visas on hold indefinitely

If you’re a Nigerian student hoping to resume or start school this fall, you’re now in a state of limbo. While existing interview dates still stand, those without an appointment might be waiting indefinitely.

There’s no clarity on when or how the process will resume or what new obstacles students will face. It’s not just about the paperwork. This uncertainty affects everyone — parents who’ve sacrificed, students juggling deadlines and dreams, and schools relying on global talent.

Proposed social media vetting

The Trump administration is also mulling over deeper surveillance, specifically, scrutinising applicants’ social media history. They’re considering digging into applicants’ social media profiles, which means your tweets, Instagram posts, and even TikTok are all fair game.

If implemented, the proposed policy will significantly delay student visa processing for Nigerians and other international applicants. For many students, this means missing admission cycles, losing scholarships, or having to defer hard-won opportunities.

However, the ripple effects extend beyond individuals — many U.S. universities depend heavily on international students, not just for academic diversity but for financial stability.

In the 2023/2024 academic year alone, the U.S. hosted over 1.1 million international students who contributed nearly $44 billion to the U.S. economy from tuition fees to everyday living expenses. A slowdown in student visa approvals could jeopardise this vital revenue stream and disrupt academic programs built around a globally diverse student population.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators, an organisation that supports international students, openly criticised the move. Its CEO, Fanta Aw, expressed concern that the policy unfairly targeted diligent and committed students.

“The idea that the embassies have the time, the capacity and taxpayer dollars are being spent this way is very problematic,” Aw said. “International students are not a threat to this country. If anything, they’re an incredible asset to this country.”

Just last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem moved to strip nearly 7,000 foreign Harvard students of their legal status. A federal judge swiftly blocked the move in Oakland, California. Judge Jeffrey S. White issued a nationwide injunction that stopped the deportations in their tracks, shielding students from arrest or detention, at least for now.

In response to the U.S. visa restrictions, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee publicly invited the affected Harvard students to continue their studies in Hong Kong on 27 May 2025. “Hong Kong welcomes any students whose U.S. policy has discriminated,” he stated. “The Hong Kong SAR government, together with the 8 UGC subsidised universities, will do all our best to facilitate and assist any students who suffered from this discriminatory and unfair treatment.”

But the message is clear: international students are squarely in the crosshairs of a much broader political agenda. For Nigerians, these changes add to an already fraught system.

Reinstatement of in-person interviews

If you’ve renewed your U.S. visa before, you may remember the drop box system. This streamlined process allowed eligible applicants to submit their documents without attending an in-person interview.

Applicants needed a full-validity, multiple-entry visa issued in Nigeria that expired within 24 months. They had to reapply for the same visa type with no history of overstaying, unauthorised work, or crimes in the U.S.

But earlier this year, that convenience was scrapped. Now, all Nigerian applicants — first-timers or repeat travellers — must show up for a face-to-face interview. The change means longer waits, more logistics, and added uncertainty for those studying, working, or visiting family in the U.S.

Double visits, longer waits

Since 1 January 2025, Nigerians applying for U.S. immigrant visas have faced a new requirement: two separate visits to the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. The first visit is for document screening. Only after clearing that hurdle can you return for your actual visa interview.

The U.S. government claims this will speed up processing, but it’s a costly hassle, especially for those outside Lagos.

With no consular offices outside Lagos, this new rule deepens the challenges Nigerians face in an already complex visa process.

An uncertain future for Nigerians

Whether you’re an aspiring student or just trying to renew your tourist visa to visit family, the terrain has changed. The path to a U.S. visa keeps getting tangled with pauses, policies, and politics.

As the U.S. continues to erect new hurdles, it’s worth asking: Will the American Dream remain within reach, or is it slowly being redefined by closed doors and digital surveillance?

Only time and policy will tell. (Marie Claire Nigeria)