For millions of Nigerians living in the United States, the holiday season—known back home as "Detty December"—has always been a time to reconnect with family, host boisterous reunions, and soak in the energy of Lagos or Abuja’s nightlife. But this year, a cloud of anxiety has settled over the diaspora community, as sweeping changes in U.S. immigration policy have upended travel plans and cast a pall over what should be a season of celebration.
The catalyst for this unease is a new directive from President Donald Trump’s administration, effective January 1, 2026, that partially suspends the issuance of non-immigrant visas for 19 countries, with Nigeria taking center stage. According to BusinessDay, the policy specifically targets B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M, and J student and exchange visas—pathways that have long served as lifelines for family visits, academic pursuits, and professional exchanges.
While the White House has framed the move as a necessary step for national security and a response to visa overstays, the timing and breadth of the policy have left many Nigerians abroad reeling. Thousands abruptly canceled their travel plans for the 2025 holiday season, fearing that a trip home could mean being locked out of the United States—the place many now call home.
“Travelling to Nigeria at this juncture could jeopardise my entire political future,” said Dr. Juliette Agocha, a Nigerian politician contesting a local election in Prince George’s County, in an interview with BusinessDay. “Thousands of us are caught in this net of uncertainty. For many, the risk of being locked out of the country where we have built our lives and careers is simply too great to ignore.”
The ripple effects have been especially pronounced in the academic community. Reports of “campus-wide panic” have surfaced as doctoral candidates and undergraduates grapple with the reality that every trip home is now a high-stakes gamble. “Students are calling home in tears, explaining to their parents why they won’t be at the dinner table this Christmas,” shared a doctoral student at Indiana University, according to BusinessDay. “There is a terrifying fear that if we leave, our return will be interpreted through a new, harsher lens, potentially ending our academic journeys prematurely. For many of us, it could compromise years of work.”
Even those who hold valid visas or Green Cards have not been spared the anxiety. A businessman from Osun State recounted his own family's ordeal: “I cancelled my trip after a close relative, a frequent traveller and a Green Card holder, was detained upon arrival in Houston,” he revealed. “If even those with permanent residency are being held and interrogated, then no Nigerian is truly safe under this current regime. I refuse to spend millions on airfares only to be treated like a criminal at the port of entry.”
The economic fallout from these travel restrictions could be staggering. Analysts estimate that if the barriers persist, Nigeria could lose between $3 billion and $4 billion in remittances and economic activity—funds that are vital not just for families, but for the country’s broader economy. The impact on education is equally severe, with some U.S. universities already deferring admission offers for Nigerian applicants until 2027, according to BusinessDay.
The uncertainty has triggered a strategic pivot among Nigerian students and professionals, who are now setting their sights on more predictable destinations. Blessing George, an education consultant with Bee Voyage Travels and Tours in Lagos, described the policy as “unfortunate,” noting that it is driving a massive shift in interest toward the United Kingdom and Canada. Foreign affairs analyst Charles Onunaiju echoed this sentiment, telling BusinessDay: “The US is no longer the reliable partner it once was for talent. We are seeing a significant pivot toward the United Kingdom and Canada. Nigeria must diversify its diplomacy; we cannot remain dependent on a single corridor that has become so volatile and unpredictable.”
Yet, while the Trump administration is tightening the screws on most forms of legal immigration, it is simultaneously rolling out the red carpet for the world’s wealthiest. In early December, the administration officially launched the "Gold Card" visa program, a controversial initiative that allows wealthy foreigners to obtain U.S. residency by paying $1 million—plus at least $15,000 in fees—according to Business Insider. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced at a recent event that the program had already raised $1.3 billion since its launch.
Under the Gold Card program, individuals can receive permanent residency in “record time” if they pay the required fees, pass a background check, and make a $1 million gift to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Spouses and children can be included on the application, but each additional person requires another $1 million and $15,000 in fees. There’s also a “Corporate Gold Card” option, allowing corporations to sponsor an employee for residency with a $2 million gift, and even transfer the card to another employee for a fee.
Approved Gold Card holders are granted EB-1 or EB-2 visas—categories traditionally reserved for those with extraordinary abilities or advanced degrees. The administration also teased a forthcoming “Platinum Card” program, which would allow foreign nationals to pay $5 million for a visa permitting a 270-day stay in the U.S. without being subject to U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income. However, this program is still in the planning stages and has not yet launched, as reported by Business Insider.
The stark contrast between the administration’s embrace of wealthy investors and its crackdown on other visa categories has not gone unnoticed. The Trump administration recently imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for high-skilled workers—a move that initially caused confusion and chaos at major tech companies, according to Business Insider. Social media screening requirements for visa holders have further complicated matters, with some companies warning employees against international travel. Just last week, the administration also paused the DV1 diversity visa lottery program, a long-standing pathway for immigrants from underrepresented countries.
This dual-track approach to immigration—welcoming the wealthy while restricting students, professionals, and families—has drawn sharp criticism from advocates and analysts alike. While the U.S. is not alone in offering residency-by-investment programs (countries like Thailand, Panama, Portugal, and Greece have similar schemes), the timing and optics of the Gold Card rollout, set against a backdrop of sweeping restrictions, have fueled a sense of injustice and exclusion among many immigrants.
As the January 1, 2026 deadline looms, the Detty December celebrations in Nigeria’s cities continue, but the mood is subdued. For thousands of diaspora families, the empty chairs at the Christmas dinner table are a stark reminder of the barriers that now separate them from loved ones. The new policies have not only disrupted travel plans—they have upended dreams, strained family ties, and forced a painful reckoning with the realities of a changing America.
In a season meant for joy and togetherness, many Nigerians abroad are left with little more than uncertainty, caution, and unanswered questions about what the future holds.
