Catholic Priest Serving in Iowa Sues US Government Over VISA Processing Delays Causing Inability to Minister
Des Moines Priest Sues Federal Government Over Expiring Work Authorization
DES MOINES, Iowa — A Roman Catholic priest serving the Des Moines metropolitan area has filed a federal lawsuit against top U.S. immigration officials, warning that administrative delays threaten to abruptly end his ability to minister to local parishioners. (Image Diocese of Des Moines Facebook Page June 2026)
Father Sylvester Okoh, a native of Nigeria serving in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. The lawsuit names several federal officials as defendants, including:
Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security
Joseph Edlow, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Thomas Schuurmans, Director of the USCIS Nebraska Service Center
Timeline of the Dispute
Initial Status: Father Okoh entered the United States on an R-1 visa, a non-immigrant visa designated for foreign religious workers.
November 2022: Facing a January 2025 expiration on his original employment authorization, Okoh filed an application to adjust his residency status.
September 2024: USCIS granted an automatic 540-day extension on his work permit while his adjustment of status remained pending, pushing his work authorization expiration date to July 19, 2026.
Current Threat: With the deadline at hand and no final decision from USCIS, Okoh faces an immediate loss of authorization to work in the U.S.
Key Arguments in the Lawsuit
"If Father Okoh loses work authorization, he will be required to stop work at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines in his position at Des Moines metro chaplaincy. This abrupt halt to his work permission will interfere with religious services for the diocese." — Excerpt from the federal complaint
Impact on Community & Ministry: An interruption in authorization would force Okoh to step down immediately from his chaplaincy duties, depriving the local diocese of religious services and creating emotional and financial strain for both the priest and his parish.
Policy Delays Under Scrutiny: The suit claims the delay stems from a December 2025 USCIS policy memorandum that placed an indefinite hold on benefit applications for nationals from Nigeria and 38 other designated countries. The complaint notes that a federal judge in Rhode Island recently struck down that policy for violating the Administrative Procedure Act.
Failure to Meet Statutory Timelines: Citing legal precedent, the lawsuit argues that USCIS has an explicit duty to adjudicate adjustment-of-status applications within a reasonable timeframe—typically within 180 days of filing—rather than leaving applicants in years-long limbo.
Relief Sought
The lawsuit asks the court to take jurisdiction over the case, schedule an expedited hearing, and compel USCIS to process Okoh's pending application immediately.
The U.S. Department of Justice has not yet filed a formal response on behalf of the federal defendants.
Source: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/07/17/des-moines-priest-sues-feds-over-the-imminent-expiration-of-his-work-authorization/
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