United States immigration authorities are implementing major changes to child eligibility requirements for green cards, effective August 15, 2025, potentially affecting thousands of Nigerian and other international families seeking permanent residency.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the policy revision will significantly impact how children’s ages are calculated under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), particularly affecting applicants from Nigeria and other countries with lengthy visa backlogs.
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What Changes from August 15
The new rules will align USCIS with the Department of State by adopting stricter “Final Action Dates” to determine when visas become available under the CSPA. This replaces the more lenient “Dates for Filing” chart that USCIS has been using since February 2023.
Under U.S. immigration law, individuals must be under 21 to qualify as a “child” for family-based green card applications. The CSPA, enacted in 2002, was designed to prevent children from “aging out” during extended processing delays by freezing their age under specific circumstances.
The Problem That Sparked Change
For over two years, USCIS and the State Department operated under different standards, creating an uneven playing field. Children applying for status adjustments within the United States had better chances of maintaining eligibility compared to those applying from abroad, including many Nigerians waiting in their home country.
This inconsistency drew widespread criticism from immigration attorneys and affected families who argued the system was fundamentally unfair.
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Impact on Nigerian Families
The policy change particularly affects Nigerian families, given the country’s historically long visa wait times. Many Nigerian children who would have qualified under the previous lenient system may now age out under the stricter requirements.
Immigration experts warn that families from countries with significant visa backlogs – including Nigeria, India, China, and the Philippines – face the greatest risk under the new rules.
Urgent Action Required
Parents sponsoring children, especially those approaching 21 years old, now face a critical deadline. Immigration lawyers strongly advise submitting applications before August 15, 2025, to benefit from the current more favorable policy.
“Time is running out for families who have been waiting in the queue,” said immigration attorney Sarah Mitchell. “The window to secure protection under the old system is rapidly closing.”
Protection for Pending Cases
USCIS confirmed it will maintain the February 14, 2023, policy for adjustment cases that were already pending before that date. Additionally, children who missed the one-year application deadline but can demonstrate extraordinary circumstances may still qualify under the “sought to acquire” requirement.
The agency emphasizes that while the new rule aims to create consistency and fairness across all applicants, families must act swiftly to protect their children’s immigration prospects.
For Nigerian families and others affected by long processing times, the next few weeks represent a crucial opportunity to secure their children’s future in America.