Nigerian woman makes dreams of American life a reality
- Alanté Millow
- Dec 13, 2015
- 2 min read
At a young age Justina Iroezi knew what she wanted. Iroezi set her sights on coming to America, pursuing a degree in Business Administration and returning to her home in Nigeria to establish a successful business. Things may not have went according to plan, but she is now a United States citizen living in Washington, D.C. with a family that is beyond what she could have dreamed for.
Image via utahcitizennetwork.org
In 1980, Iroezi made her way to the United States. However, this was far from a smooth transition. Finding a sponsor was a difficult task for her. According to the Official Website of the Department of Homeland Security, “There are many ways to sponsor an alien. In the immigration field, the term ‘sponsor’ often means to bring to the United States or ‘petition for.’” A U.S. citizen can sponsor a relative, employee or orphan. Iroezi considered getting her Visa through sponsorship, however it was easier said than done.
“Sponsorship is usually difficult because the U.S. government doesn’t want people that will become a nuisance and destitute when they come,” Iroezi said. “Your sponsor has to have a good paying job, assets, etc., to be able to charter for you. Because of this, most people who are willing to help, might now have such amenities.”
While still in Nigeria attending high school, Iroezi met a man who taught her. He invited her to move to the U.S. with him. He offered to sponsor Iroezi with the pretence of marriage once she finished her studies. She accepted his offer and eventually received her Visa. However, once she arrived in the United States, things began to look grim.
“When I got here [the United States], the guy showed me his other side,” Iroezi said. The man began showing abusive behavior and had extreme jealousy. “At the age of 18, I could not coup with his rubbish,” she said. “So I left him.”
Since then, Iroezi has not looked back. After doing very well on her General Education Development (GED) exam, she was accepted into Strayer College and completed her degree in Business Administration from University of the District of Columbia.
Her current husband is in the gas station business and plans to open some of his own. However, Iroezi has plans of her own. “I want to deviate from him,” she said. “I want to open a fleet of laundromats, or possible open stores that sell herbal health materials.”
Although all of Iroezi’s plans may not have worked out perfectly, she is not finished achieving her dreams and is grateful for everything that she has accomplished thus far.
“I would say that I did OK,” she said. “I’m still going to build my business empire back home. With my beautiful children, we can accomplish it. God willing.”
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