Plans for the popular “Detty December” celebrations are being disrupted as many Nigerians living in the United States cancel or postpone their trips home over fears linked to new US travel restrictions.

Detty December, a popular Nigerian slang for the festive season filled with parties, concerts, family reunions, and homecomings, is usually a peak travel period for Nigerians in the diaspora. This year, however, anxiety over possible detention, visa cancellation, or denial of re-entry into the US has forced many to rethink their plans.

The growing concern follows a fresh proclamation by US President Donald Trump imposing new travel restrictions on Nigerians and citizens of 16 other African countries. According to the policy, holders of B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas will be barred from entering the United States from January 1, 2026. These categories cover tourists, business travellers, students, and exchange visitors, affecting a wide range of Nigerians.

Although many affected individuals currently hold valid visas, fear of stricter scrutiny at US ports of entry has spread across Nigerian communities in America. Long-term residents, students, and even green card holders say they are worried that leaving the US now could jeopardise their ability to return.

A Nigerian father in the US said he advised his son to abandon plans to travel home for Christmas, citing the uncertainty surrounding the new policy. Similar stories are emerging nationwide, with families cancelling long-awaited reunions.

Dr Juliet Agocha, a Nigerian-American contesting for a council seat in Prince George’s County, Maryland, said traveling to Nigeria under the current climate could harm her political aspirations. She noted that thousands of Nigerian immigrants could be affected by the restrictions, making travel a major risk.

Among students, the anxiety is even more pronounced. A doctoral candidate at Indiana University explained that many Nigerian students had already completed academic documentation and travel approvals, and leaving the US now could undo months of preparation. He said several students had called their families to explain why they would no longer be coming home for the holidays.

Another student in Kansas described the situation as tense and confusing, saying that even with a valid visa, re-entry into the US no longer feels guaranteed. A doctoral student at Ohio University, Dolapo Oyedoku, added that while existing visas may not be automatically cancelled, travellers should expect tougher questioning and closer scrutiny at entry points.

The US government has justified the restrictions by citing security concerns and what it described as a high rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals. However, the decision has triggered uncertainty, disappointment and emotional strain among Nigerians who had hoped to reunite with loved ones during the festive season.

As Detty December approaches, many Nigerians abroad are choosing caution over celebration, opting to stay put rather than risk being locked out of the United States.