Nigerian woman denied U.S residency due to DNA showing sponsor not her biological father

PEOPLES GAZETTE 

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have denied the residency application of James Odiete’s daughter, Linda, after a DNA test proved he was not her biological father.

The USCIS in 2007 approved an I-130 application for Mr Odiete’s daughter, granting her access to the country. After over a decade, the man initiated the formal process to upgrade his daughter’s immigrant status to a permanent resident, form I-148.

The U.S. government requested supporting documents such as Ms Odiete’s birth certificate, tuition receipts and pictures to substantiate Mr Odiete’s claim that she was indeed his daughter. A DNA test was also required.

While Mr Odiete was able to provide documentation showing he had been responsible for her upkeep from birth till the time of application, a DNA test revealed he was not her biological father.

“The result of the DNA concluded that Mr Adex Odiete was not her biological father,” stated 2024 court filings at the U.S. District Court of California – Central District.

“Mr Adex Odiete her father, had been a victim of a paternity fraud perpetrated by the mother of Linda Odiete,” Jovi Usude, the lawyer representing Mr Odiete,  wrote on January 22.

Still, Mr Odiete continued with the permanent residency filing process, saying the bond he shared with Ms Odiete was beyond blood ties and that he still regarded her as his own child.

“Despite the knowledge derived from the DNA, Mr Adex Odiete has continued to stand by and support his daughter,” the court document stated.