An American couple, James and Kaylee Wilson, have said a recent United States visa policy under President Donald Trump has left them stranded in Nigeria after preventing their newly adopted child from travelling with them to the US.
The couple, who spoke in an interview with PUNCH, said the policy effectively blocks adoption visas, making it impossible for internationally adopted children to enter the US despite their adoptive parents being American citizens.
According to James Wilson, the family travelled to Nigeria solely to complete the adoption of their youngest child, Oluwatoyin, stressing that their presence in the country was driven by their commitment to keeping their family together rather than convenience or comfort.
He explained that the adoption process was rigorous, involving extensive background checks and approvals from both US and Nigerian authorities, including security clearances by American agencies, before they were cleared to adopt.
Wilson said the new proclamation marked the first time in US history that adopted children had been barred from entry, noting that once adopted children enter the US, they automatically become citizens, making the restriction difficult to justify.
The couple disclosed that they had been living in Lagos since March 2025, relying on online jobs based in the US to sustain themselves financially while awaiting a possible resolution to the policy.
Despite the economic and social challenges of remaining in Nigeria, Kaylee Wilson said their resolve was strengthened by their children, insisting that keeping the family united was more important than personal comfort.
The Wilsons said they had gradually adapted to Nigerian culture, describing the country as lively and welcoming, while adding that their Nigerian daughter, Eden, had embraced local food and culture with enthusiasm.
They noted that their family includes five children, two adopted from Nigeria, one adopted from Ghana, and two biological children, adding that each child’s background reflected their belief in adoption as a calling rather than a choice.
While expressing hope that the US government would review the policy, the couple said they were relying on faith as they consider their next steps, insisting that their adopted children were “worth fighting for” and that they remained confident they would eventually return to the US together.
