US visa ban frustrates man, stops him from bringing his new wife to America

The US visa ban placed on Nigeria and 13 other countries on Friday, January 30, has aborted Saheed’s plan to give his family a comfortable life in America.

Prior to the ban, 32-year-old Saheed hoped to buy a house in Houston, move together with his wife Azeezat and have children. But the bad news of not getting a US Spouse Visa made it difficult for him to think of the next steps.

The Nigerian man met Azeezat through his aunt in Nigeria as the two had a special connection over their similar medical backgrounds.

After their marriage, the wife’s paper to travel was arranged as they waited for the whole process to be completed.

Saheed said nothing is sadder than for newlyweds to face the uncertainty that they may never be together in the same place.

Busayo Fasidi, a family immigration lawyer in the US, said the people who are trying to bring their families from overseas will be gravely affected by the ban.

Saheed said he now faces greater uncertainties with the new law. Photo source: Houston Public Media
The family immigration lawyer said that while she was shocked by the ban, the Nigerian government is to be blamed.

Chris Ulasi, a professor from Texas Southern University, said he is totally against the ban as no country should place undue restrictions on other countries.

Saheed said that with the new development, bringing Azeezat to the US is going to be a hard one to achieve.

“As it is with the travel ban right now, our future is really not certain. We’re just looking at every legal way possible to be able to get her to come here. But outside of that, it’s kind of hard to plan anything right now not knowing that it’s certain,” he said.