A coalition of organizations advocating for immigration relief for Nigeria has called on President Joe Biden to designate Nigeria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Special Student Relief (SSR) before his administration’s term concludes. The coalition, which includes the Nigerian Center, Nigerian American Lawyers Association, Amnesty International, and The ONE Campaign, met with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. State Department, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and other federal agencies in November to discuss the urgent request.
Gbenga Ogunjimi, Director of the Nigerian Center and lead of the TPS Coalition for Nigeria, emphasized the need for swift action, stating that the Biden administration should extend critical protections to Nigerian nationals and students in the U.S. before the transition to a new administration. With President-elect Donald Trump set to take office on January 20, 2025, the coalition is urging the Biden administration to prioritize this request.
Nigeria’s economy is currently facing significant challenges, including skyrocketing inflation and a sharply depreciating currency. The value of the Naira has plummeted, resulting in a staggering 362.2% devaluation over the past five years. This has severely impacted families sending remittances to students in the U.S., rendering them unable to afford tuition, housing, and basic necessities.
The coalition is calling on the Biden administration to grant Nigeria Special Student Relief (SSR) designation or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to provide critical protections to Nigerian nationals and students in the U.S. This would be in line with the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, which acknowledges the armed conflict in Nigeria.
