A United States of America-based Nigerian professor, Sunday Goshit, has filed a lawsuit against the President Donald Trump administration for abruptly cancelling his naturalisation oath-taking ceremony despite being approved citizenship. 

Reports stated Mr Goshit, who immigrated from Nigeria to the U.S. in 2000, alongside his wife, Regina, had successfully passed their citizenship exams after applying for naturalisation last year.

The couple were scheduled to undertake their oath of allegiance in January 2026 but the final step was called off just weeks before the ceremony. 

A presidential proclamation signed by President Donald Trump in December last year, ordering immigration officers to continue processing work permit, green card and citizenship applications but delay making a final decision indefinitely is apparently responsible for the couple’s current immigration limbo. 

Since the proclamation, which affects 39 countries including Nigeria, thousands of immigrants have had their applications put on hold without a definite end after the government stopped adjudicating their cases, prompting many of them, including Mr Goshit and his wife to head to court for resolution.

“That affects my ability to travel, my peace of mind, and the full realization of the American dream that I’ve spent half a life building,” Mr Goshit told KCCI8.

He is currently an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of International Studies at the University of Iowa. 

Described as a ‘longtime leader,’ Mr Goshit’s case has attracted attention from communities in Iowa. Last week, the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County, organised a press conference to further bring attention to the professor’s predicament. 

“Dr. Goshit-an adjunct professor at the University of lowa, President of the lowa City Foreign Relations Council, and Co-founder of the African Festival of Arts and Culture — is filing a lawsuit to challenge the abrupt and unexplained halt to his U.S. citizenship process after more than 25 years in this community. 

“His case also raises broader concerns, as others in our community have experienced similar delays or cancellations in their citizenship process,” the group said in a Facebook post inviting the people to the event. 

Also, Mr Goshit has garnered support from people on social media, prompting an appreciation message on Instagram from one @madame_dimanche, who claimed to be the daughter of the couple.

She noted that she was overwhelmed reading the positive comments about her parents. 

“I avoided platforms that shared this story, but this popped up on my newsfeed. I took a chance to read the comments, and I want to say thank you for all the kind words! Sunday is my father. I couldn’t be more proud to have him and my mother as my parents! My siblings and l are who we are because of their love and sacrifices

“I’II screenshot all your kind words as a reminder of the great parents I have. If it were left to my dad, he wouldn’t even go this far, but as most of you know him, he is a leader at heart, he loves people, and a seeker of truth for all. This is more than just about him. Once again, thank you all for your kindness!,” woman stated. 

Another supporter on Facebook, Jessica Andino, said the decision to cancel Mr Goshit’s citisenship process was unjust, highlighting the rigour and cost of the naturalisation process. 

“The decision to halt Dr. Goshit’s citizenship process is deeply troubling and unjust. As someone with family members who have gone through the immigration system, I know firsthand how stressful, time-consuming, and expensive this journey can be on a family. 

“It requires years of commitment, patience, and doing everything the right way. Those who follow the process and are upstanding members of our community should be able to obtain citizenship without interference,” Ms Andino stated. 

Mr Trump has embarked on several anti-immigration campaigns since returning to office for the second term in January 2025. In December last year, he placed a travel ban on people from Nigeria and dozens of other countries from entering into the United States of America across several visa categories, citing national security concerns.