The government of President Donald Trump, on Friday,  announced that Nigerians and other foreign nationals will have to return to their home countries to apply for a U.S. Green Card.

A spokesman for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Zach Kahler, announced this change in policy for those applying for an American Green Card in a statement on Friday.

“We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly.

“From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances,” said Mr Kahler.

The USCIS spokesman explained that the new policy “allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes.”

He added, “When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency.”

According to USCIS, nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose. Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over. Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process.

This comes as another measure by the Trump-led administration to crack down on immigration. Before now, the U.S. State Department had stopped immigrant visa processing in 75 different countries.

Since Mr Trump assumed office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have carried out several arrests of illegal immigrants, deporting them in their hundreds.

Mr Trump’s administration has also revoked over 100,000 visas of foreigners, including Nigerians, in its first year in office.