By Father Sylvester Okoh can remain in the United States as he waits, but the processing delays prevent him from performing his religious duties.
A Nigerian-born Catholic priest serving in the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa, sued the federal government after facing delays in processing his request for permanent residency, which has culminated in the expiration of his religious work visa and work authorization.
Father Sylvester Okoh, who was serving in the diocesan hospital ministry under an R-1 religious worker visa, can remain in the country as he awaits government action. Yet, because the priest lost his work authorization amid the delays, he is unable to perform his duties in the diocese.
When reached for comment, Okoh referred EWTN News to his lawyer, Alexander Smith, who said his client has done everything by the book, has not broken any laws, and “just wants to get back to work.”
Smith said there “are no court orders as of yet,” and his application is still pending. He said “we are confident that the government and the court” will recognize the delay is “unreasonable” and ensure his application is processed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
“Father Okoh meets the criteria for these forms of immigration benefits,” he said. “USCIS should have been able to make decisions on his applications within the time allowed. We hope that the government will respond favorably and we will be able to avoid further litigation. Father Okoh wishes to return to his important work as soon as possible.”
Okoh applied for permanent residency on Nov. 7, 2022 — nearly two years before his work authorization was set to expire on Aug. 30, 2024. Because of delays, USCIS extended his authorization until July 19 so he could continue working, and that extension has expired.
One reason for the delay is that USCIS adopted policies in December 2025 and January 2026 that put holds on applications from 39 “high risk” countries, including Nigeria. A federal court order in June requires that USCIS process these applications.
The lawsuit, which was filed shortly before his extension expired, warned that continued delays mean he “will be unable to perform his religious duties,” which will also “interfere with religious services for the diocese.”
It warned of “significant emotional hardship” to Okoh, the diocese, and his parishioners. The lawsuit alleges that USCIS failed to process the application in a “reasonable time,” which is required by law.
“The unreasonable delay in adjudicating [Okoh’s] application has resulted in [him] being stuck in limbo and has caused an extreme hardship on [him],” it adds.
When reached for comment, a spokesperson for USCIS told EWTN News the agency generally does not comment on individual immigration cases. The spokesperson confirmed that USCIS is complying with the June court decision that requires these applications be processed.
Smith said he has not received a response from the federal government as of July 30.
The diocese did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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He’s in our country as a guest. He’s owed nothing. He’s not a citizen.
Is he “owed” anything? No. But the AMERICAN citizens he ministers to are owed better from their government. We have a lack of priests in the US, which is well known. We are fortunate to have so many priests here from foreign countries to take up the slack. My largely white suburban parish has had 3 priests, all of them foreign, a sign of the times, a situation only recently changed. One of our beloved Nigerian priests only recently had to return home because of the same slow Visa processing issue. The people suffering are Catholic Americans who may not be able to receive communion because of this unconscionable delay and resulting shortage of priests.
One would imagine if a credentialed priest has already been here 5 years (or 10 !!) without incident, it must be plain he is not a terrorist. There surely must be a way to place these men on a list for expedited processing and whatever vetting process they are using. Funny, I seem to recall the Biden administration allowing unvetted Muslims to POUR into the country after the fall of Afghanistan. I guess that was ok???
We owe our priests everything. They are how we access the sacraments. Can you imagine saying something that hateful to Christ’s face?
Once again, you show an inability to correctly comprehend language. This man is a foreign national who’s here as a guest. He’s owed NOTHING by the government hosting him. He has balls to sue the government to expedite his residency status. That’s the issue – his sense of being entitled to something he is not. Now, Gerard, do you get it?
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, my priest advised me not to “sue”, but to forgive the person who broke my bone intentionally, telling me that ‘suing isn’t permitted by Catholic theology’. Since then, God provided two instances where benefactors suddenly gifted me thousands of dollars, help at home, and part-time income. Recovering then, I typed my miracle stories and voila! A book to publish evolved!
As a former elected public servant, when experiencing govt. problems, I’ve prompted citizens (-albeit perhaps the Diocesan clergy’s staff in this foreign-born priest’s case-) to contact multiple local and state representatives to use their connections to solve problems. News releases claim ICE has been targeting the worst/most dangerous criminals to deport, for obvious safety concern, perhaps slowing the usual channels.
Tonight at Adoration I shall ask Archangel Raphael to intercede for this Nigerian priest’s future- that He finds God’s plan within his current inconvenience.
Daily there are many govt. offices of abortion-approving elected officials, and abortion clinics to pray Rosaries in front of- witnessing the virtue of courage of some clergy members and laity, representing Christ, for conversion of hearts, praying on unholy grounds. And “saves” are occasionally had at clinics, and legislators’ and clinic employees’ hearts converted- as was Planned Parenthood’s worker Abby Johnson!
Welcome to bureaucracy. I see you’re assimilating well, adopting litigiousness, a distinctly American characteristic.
Access to justice and fair treatment under the law IS an American privilege. We value it and use it without shame.
available to CITIZENS, GERARD.