Nigerian professor Sunday Goshit and his wife Regina have officially become United States citizens after a long legal battle and a delayed naturalisation process that spanned over two decades. The couple, who had been scheduled to take their oaths of allegiance in January, saw their ceremony abruptly cancelled without explanation. This led them to file a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration in April, sparking community support in Iowa, where Professor Goshit serves as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of International Studies at the University of Iowa.
The cancellation came just two days after President Donald Trump signed a proclamation in December 2020, ordering the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to delay final decisions on citizenship applications for nationals from 39 countries, including Nigeria. Although the policy allowed processing of work permits and green cards to continue, it indefinitely stalled naturalisation ceremonies for eligible applicants. The Goshits, who arrived in the U.S. from Nigeria in 2000, had fulfilled all requirements and were fully vetted, making the delay particularly unjust in their eyes.
Their lawsuit gained traction, and in May, the couple received an email from USCIS confirming that their naturalisation process was moving forward. Shortly after, they were officially scheduled for a citizenship ceremony on June 10 in Des Moines, Iowa. On that day, they took their oaths of allegiance in front of family and friends, marking the culmination of 25 years of residency, contribution, and dedication to American society.
Speaking to the Canadian news outlet the Gazette, Professor Goshit expressed deep emotion, saying, “It’s 25 years of waiting; 25 years of being in this country. And I’ve been involved in the community a lot. I’ve never felt like I’m not part of the American community. But now it’s completely different.” He emphasized his commitment to the U.S., stating that he had met every requirement and contributed his expertise, character, and legacy as an educated, hardworking citizen to the state of Iowa.
In April, during a press conference, he had called the delay a suppression of due process, a core value the United States claims to uphold. His words resonated with many, leading to local demonstrations in Iowa in support of the couple’s right to citizenship. The legal battle took a significant turn on June 5, when Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence, Rhode Island, struck down Trump’s proclamation, ruling that it lacked statutory and regulatory authority.
The Goshits’ journey highlights the complexities and challenges faced by immigrants seeking citizenship, especially under restrictive policies. Their successful naturalisation serves as a reminder of the resilience and perseverance required to navigate such systems. As the U.S. continues to debate immigration reform, stories like theirs underscore the importance of fair, transparent, and lawful processes for all applicants.
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