Nigeria Ranks in Top 20 for US Green Cards.
Nigeria has achieved a notable ranking among the top 20 countries globally for receiving U.S. green cards, which grant permanent residency status. In 2022, Nigerians were awarded 12,385 green cards, showcasing a significant presence in the U.S. immigration landscape. This places Nigeria among prominent countries seeking permanent residency in the United States, although still behind Mexico and India, which together accounted for 26% of all new permanent residents.
Key Statistics
- Total Green Cards Issued: 12,385 to Nigerians.
- Top Countries: Mexico and India led with a combined 265,784 green cards.
- Global Total: 1,018,349 green cards issued worldwide, with 82,117 to African nationals.
- Breakdown for Nigerians: Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (7,529), family-sponsored preferences (818), employment-based preferences (3,213), diversity programs (14), refugees and asylees (797), and others (14).
Asylum and Naturalization
- Asylum Grants: 259 Nigerians were granted asylum in 2022, a rise from 61 in 2013.
- Naturalization: 14,438 Nigerians naturalized in 2022, up from 9,545 in 2013.
Non-Immigrant Admissions
- Decrease Noted: From 157,509 in 2013 to 78,104 in 2022.
- Categories: Included student and exchange visitor visas (14,092), temporary workers and families (3,550), diplomats (3,122), and others.
Migration Trends and Implications
- Increased Nigerian Migration: Reflects ongoing socio-economic challenges, including high unemployment, security concerns, and governance issues.
- Socio-Economic Contributions: Nigerian immigrants in the U.S. are notably well-educated, contributing significantly to various fields.
Prominent Nigerian-Americans
- Education and Influence: Nigerians in the U.S. often possess high educational qualifications, with examples including ImeIme Umana, the first woman of color president of the Harvard Law Review, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a renowned writer.
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