According to data from the US Department of Homeland Security, Nigeria was in the top 20 nations in terms of green card recipients in 2022.
The results show that 12,385 Nigerians were given permanent residency (PR), demonstrating the continuous migratory patterns.
Mexico and India topped the list, accounting for 26% of the total 1,018,349 green cards awarded worldwide, with 265,784 beneficiaries combined.
Nigerians got green cards through a variety of avenues, including 7,529 as immediate relatives of US residents, 818 through family-sponsored preferences, 3,213 through employment-based preferences, and a smaller number through diversity programs, as refugees or asylum seekers, and other classifications.
The data also showed a significant increase in asylum grants, with 259 Nigerians gaining affirmative asylum in 2022 versus 61 in 2013. Furthermore, naturalisation data increased from 9,545 in 2013 to 14,438 by 2022, demonstrating that more Nigerians are becoming US citizens.
Non-immigrant admissions decreased significantly, from 157,509 in 2013 to 78,104 in 2022. Admissions covered many visa types, including student, exchange visitor, temporary worker, and diplomatic.
Since the 1980s, migration from Nigeria to the United States has been a major issue, driven by factors such as unemployment, security concerns, and governance troubles. Because of their capacity to afford the migration procedure, the middle class has been more active in pursuing better chances elsewhere.
Nigerian immigrants are known for their high educational attainment and contributions to different industries in the United States, including the arts and academia. Notably, Nigerians in the United States are roughly twice as likely to have a college degree as the American norm.
Prominent people such as ImeIme Umana, the first woman of colour to lead the Harvard Law Review, and famed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie demonstrate the community’s importance.
