Nigeria secured a spot among the top 20 countries whose citizens received US green cards in 2022, according to data from the US Department of Homeland Security.
The figures show that 12,385 Nigerians were granted permanent residency (PR), showing the ongoing migration trends.
Mexico and India led the tally, accounting for 26 percent of the total 1,018,349 green cards issued globally, with 265,784 recipients combined.
Diverse Paths to Permanent ResidencyNigerians obtained their green cards through various channels: 7,529 as immediate relatives of US citizens, 818 via family-sponsored preferences, 3,213 through employment-based preferences, and smaller numbers through diversity programs, as refugees or asylees, and other classifications.
The data also pointed to a notable increase in asylum grants, with 259 Nigerians receiving affirmative asylum in 2022 compared to 61 in 2013. Furthermore, naturalisation figures rose from 9,545 in 2013 to 14,438 by 2022, indicating a higher rate of Nigerians becoming US citizens.
Decline in Non-Immigrant AdmissionsThere was a noticeable decrease in non-immigrant admissions from 157,509 in 2013 to 78,104 in 2022. These admissions included a variety of visa types such as student and exchange visitor visas, temporary worker visas, and diplomatic visas.
Migration from Nigeria to the US has been prominent since the 1980s, driven by factors like unemployment, security issues, and governance challenges. The middle class, in particular, has been active in seeking better opportunities abroad due to their ability to afford the migration process.
Contributions of Nigerian Immigrants to the USNigerian immigrants are recognised for their high educational attainment and contributions to various sectors in the US, including arts and academia. Notably, Nigerians in the US are nearly twice as likely to hold a college degree compared to the American average.
Prominent figures such as ImeIme Umana, the first woman of colour to head the Harvard Law Review, and acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie show the impact of this community.