President Donald Trump posted a chart on his Truth Social platform that claims roughly 33.3% of Nigerian immigrant households in the United States receive some form of public assistance. Titled “Immigrant Welfare Recipient Rates by Country of Origin,” the chart covers immigrants from about 120 countries and territories and shows welfare participation rates for each group. The highest reported rates are found among immigrants from Bhutan, Yemen, Somalia, the Marshall Islands, and the Dominican Republic, ranging from 68.1% to 81.4%. At the opposite end, the lowest rates appear for immigrants from Bermuda, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Korea, and Kenya, with figures between 25% and 29%. Nigeria’s 33.3% places it near the middle of the spectrum.
The release of the chart coincides with the Trump administration’s ongoing emphasis on public‑benefit usage as a factor in shaping immigration rules and eligibility standards. In June 2025, the White House issued a presidential proclamation imposing travel bans and restrictions on several countries, citing security concerns and limited cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities. The administration has repeatedly stated that welfare usage should influence decisions about who may enter or remain in the United States.
In late December 2025, the administration extended those restrictions into 2026, expanding the list to 39 countries effective January 1, 2026. The partial restrictions affect access to immigrant visas and several non‑immigrant visa categories, including student, vocational, and exchange visas. Nigeria is among the nations subject to these partial restrictions, along with a number of other African and Caribbean countries.
The focus on welfare participation rates among immigrant households forms part of a broader effort to reshape U.S. immigration policy. As the immigration debate continues, data on welfare usage is likely to remain a central point of discussion. The administration’s decision to extend and broaden travel restrictions carries significant implications for individuals and families seeking to enter or stay in the United States, and the issue is expected to dominate public discourse in the coming months.
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