₦airaland Forum

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has told a federal court that concerns about Nigerian documents being unreliable and public officials falsifying records prompted its decision to implement policies to halt the processing of green card, work permit, and other immigration benefit applications for its citizens.

The deputy director of USCIS, Angelica Alfonso-Royals, stated this in her declaration submitted on Friday at the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, defending the agency’s policies placing pending benefit applications of Nigerians and nationals of 38 other countries on hold after they were restricted from entering the U.S. over terrorism and public safety threats.

The USCIS said it was important that officials “place an adjudicative hold on all pending benefit requests submitted by or for aliens from the high-risk countries” after President Donald Trump’s December 2025 and January 2026 proclamations.

On June 11, District Judge John McConnell invalidated the directives, ruling that the Trump administration lacked the statutory and regulatory authority to implement them.

Even though the agency said in a statement that it disagreed with the judgment, it announced that it would resume processing pending benefit requests and pursue any further judicial review.

In her declaration, Ms Alfonso-Royals, said USCIS conducts screening and vetting, noting that concerns arose after the agency found that some naturalisation and permanent residence applications had previously been approved based on unreliable information.

She said it was discovered that the affected countries “possess little to no credible identity management infrastructure,” making it difficult, if not impossible, to verify their identities. She also cited concerns of corruption and falsification of documents.

The deputy director specifically mentioned Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Liberia, Ethiopia, Angola, and Sierra Leone.

“Nigerian documents also have limited credibility due to corruption. In Nigeria, it is common for government officials to falsify records,” Ms Alfonso-Royals said. “Furthermore, Nigerian birth and death registrations rarely happen at the time of the event and often only occur when needed, which can be years later.”

She added, “Many Nigerian marriage and divorce events are not recorded in formal government databases. When they are, record-keeping is poor to non-existent.”

Ms Alfonso-Royals noted that USCIS was evaluating the risks associated with the countries and identifying measures to address them, adding that efforts were also ongoing to obtain additional information to mitigate fraud risks.

USCIS is finalising its enhanced vetting plan based upon risk factors present within each country but also based upon screening vulnerabilities identified writ large by gaining access to information and tools not previously available to USCIS,” the deputy director said.

According to her, the vacatur hinders USCIS from addressing and implementing measures to mitigate risks associated with the countries and from adjudicating petitions and applications from citizens in a manner that protects national security.

“As a result, USCIS may miss critical national security, public safety, or integrity concerns that put the American people and the lawful immigration system at risk,” she said, adding that USCIS could also face the challenges of coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence partners to tackle risks.

Certificate forgery scandals

Allegations of document forgery are not new in Nigeria, as several prominent figures, including public officeholders, have been caught up web of controversy over the authenticity of their certificates and other official records.

The most recent case was that of Geoffrey Nnaji, a former minister of science and technology. Mr Nnaji left office on October 7, 2025, after Peoples Gazette reported that he forged both his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and Bachelor’s degree certificate from the University of Nigeria.

Certificate forgery also rocked President Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambitions, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar seeking court approval to subpoena Chicago State University for Tinubu’s academic records.

Mr Abubakar argued that the documents would clarify alleged inconsistencies in the president’s background, including documents suggesting that the CSU in the 1970s admitted a female student named Bola Tinubu, born on March 29, 1954.

However, the Nigerian Supreme Court dismissed evidence in the certificate forgery scandal, reaffirming Mr Tinubu’s election.

Also notable is the case of former finance minister Kemi Adeosun, alleged to have submitted a falsified NYSC certificate during her ministerial screening. Following public outrage over the controversy, she tendered her resignation as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari

Source:
https://gazettengr.com/nigerian-officials-are-notorious-for-forging-documents-uscis-tells-court/

When even the number 1 citizen has an obscure history.

Graduating from a school before it was established.

Entering university as a female and graduating as a male.

Working in top organisations that do not have your work history/records.

Being a member of a reputable professional body, but no evidence of your registration with them.

I didn't mention any name ooo. I don't want the Sowore treatment please, I am having headache.

1vandragon:
When even the number 1 citizen has an obscure history.

Graduating from a school before it was established.

Entering university as a female and graduating as a male.

Working in top organisations that do not have your work history/records.

Being a member of a reputable professional body, but no evidence of your registration with them.

I didn't mention any name ooo. I don't want the Sowore treatment please, I am having headache.

This guy, you are very funny

The US is finally crawling in. I don't see the reason why Nigeria should be filled with controversial leaders.

Mad people everywhere

They better take this certificate forgery case to FIFA as they are currently active during this world cup.

Their boards of panel for issue like this could really help in doing something about this

Gbonla Tilumbu is a shameless political fraudster and a certificate forger. A man who graduated from a school even before the school was established.

helinues:
They better take this certificate forgery case to FIFA as they are currently active during this world cup.

Their boards of panel for issue like this could really help in doing something about this

If the education I assume you received could make you think that FIFA is the body that handles such cases, then you did not receive any education at all.

Rapmoney:
If the education I assume you received could make you think that FIFA is the body that handles such cases, then you did not receive any education at all.

Chai, so you are not aware about the new FIFA panel head by Arsene Wenger who handles international certificate forgery affairs like this?

Make una dey stay updated

Look at what APC has brought upon Nigeria just because of their desperation and greed.

The USA has so much dirty secrets concerning tinubu files and other notable Nigerian politicians.

helinues:
Chai, so you are not aware about the new FIFA panel head by Arsene Wenger who handles international certificate forgery affairs like this?

Make una dey stay updated

Maybe the FIFA panel that was established at your backyard, or the Arsene Wenger that lives in your compound.

Rapmoney:
Maybe the FIFA panel that was established at your backyard, or the Arsene Wenger that lives in your compound.

That's the issue I have with some of you guys. Arguing on something you know nothing about.

USA shouldn't have been allowed to host the world cup as it's in FIFA'S rules that any country involving in foreign war won't be allowed to host the world cup

It was the same time that law was adjusted, FIFA created a board to look into the affairs of international certificate forgery not just for the players but also politicians. Infact , Andre Iniesta is also part of the board members looking into issue like this

helinues:
That's the issue I have with some of you guys. Arguing on something you know nothing about.

USA shouldn't have been allowed to host the world cup as it's in FIFA'S rules that any country involving in foreign war won't be allowed to host the world cup

It was the same time that law was adjusted, FIFA created a board to look into the affairs of international certificate forgery not just for the players but also politicians. Infact , Andre Iniesta is also part of the board members looking into issue like this

Shift! Do not mention me again. I have no time for such partisan frivolities.

Rapmoney:
Shift! Do not mention me again. I have no time for such partisan frivolities.

Early morning drinking might not good for your health.

Who mentioned who first?

Anyways, hope you enjoyed the free ride.

helinues:
Early morning drinking might not good for your health.

Who mentioned who first?

Anyways, hope you enjoyed the free ride.

Shift! I have blocked you.

THE "QOUTES" say ALLL.. so no come they BAPTIZE anyone here plesae

How innocent are the accusers?

tinubu them don see you finish

List of tinubu forgery

1. Birth certificate
2. SSCE certificate
3. Chicago certificate
4. Local government identification letter
5. Nigeria Tax Act
6. National budgets
Etc .....

Modified....

The deputy director specifically mentioned Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Liberia, Ethiopia, Angola, and Sierra Leone.

👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆

See the countries wey dem dey categorize Nigeria with since that muslim muslim ticket brought in tinubu.

Failed countries!!

Citizens are paying for the sins of their leaders

Lumig:
How innocent are the accusers?

Face the news and stop shifting goalposts.

Gbam..

Them wan OPEN TINUBU file.

Its about to GO DOWN.

Tinubu really dealing with us in every way possible

Falsifier in Chief.

He’s at the top of the food chain.

When Sniffers are at the helm of affairs, what do you expect....Lawlessness everywhere

Nigerian politicians or Nigerians in general.

Even the average Nigerian abusing politicians and other govt workers is busy doing the same thing that they are being accused of.
Nigerian politicians and workers are just a microcosm of the Nigerian population.

Chai . This is not a good record o

Nigerian politicians are preventing Nigerians from getting green card by forging documents. Some Nigerians that want to travel and pressing for green cards don't want to believe that their some of their political candidates are their enemies

Na TINUBU dem dey talk to indirectly...even after all the MONEY dem spend for lobbyists.

Even after "sneaking into America ' by Remi TINUBU for photo-ops. She came in 2 times without announcing her trip because she knew she will be BOUNCED.

Make she try come again...everywhere is UPDATED.

Tinubu is in their crosshairs and NIGERIANs will Troop out celebrating his defeat .

He is NOT bigger than Maduro......and will be Maduro'ed SIMPLE.

Nonsense

Tenses:
tinubu them don see you finish

1vandragon:
When even the number 1 citizen has an obscure history.

Graduating from a school before it was established.

Entering university as a female and graduating as a male.

Working in top organisations that do not have your work history/records.

Being a member of a reputable professional body, but no evidence of your registration with them.

I didn't mention any name ooo. I don't want the Sowore treatment please, I am having headache.

Hahahahaha..... Someone in Aso Rock comes to mind

Na TINUBU dem dey talk about.

Sheuns:
Falsifier in Chief.

He’s at the top of the food chain.

helinues:
They better take this certificate forgery case to FIFA as they are currently active during this world cup.

Their boards of panel for issue like this could really help in doing something about this

So are you saying they are not correct?

Na Teanubu be the general merchant.

Chicago certificate forger and employer of certificate forger, Barth Nnaji and the rest. No positive example to "those" he's leading.