Local priests get time extended in United States after greencard backlog

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Two priests set to return to Nigeria, have been allowed to stay in the U.S. for several more months.

We spoke to Bill Gresser, the parishioner of the church who explains his next steps to help keep these priests in the U.S.

“My next step is to continue if you will get the word out, but I believe the next step here, but I believe the next steps are being taken by the diocese of Tucson and others and to see that they begin their green card process," says Bill Gresser, St. John Neumann Parish Church Parishioner.

Gresser adds that everyone is excited with this great news, and his christmas miracle came true.

“We really thrilled that these priests don’t have to go back to a very very difficult situation, where they would be targeted by rebel gangs, and their able to stay here ministering to the people as they have for the last four years," explains Gresser.

Father Iorlumun Emmanuel Tamen Tamen describes the moment he got the call extending his time here, just two days before his flight to nigeria.

"I was hiking, I went hiking at Telegraph Pass, a call came in and it wasn’t normal that I’d never had, and it was the Chancellor of the Dioceses and she said great news our stay had been extended," says Father Iorlumun Emmanuel Tamen, St. John Neumann Parish Church Priest.

According to the Diocese of Tucson, a petition for his visa extension along with that of Reverend has been submitted.

They can stay here for six more months while that's being processed.

Father Tamen says, “this is a kind of gift, not just to me alone, but to my other brother adams, it’s a gift lightly, we are so excited to stay back here and continue our ministry here, working with the people who celebrated the sacrament we’ve done for them.”

Both priests and the Diocese of Tucson want to thank everyone who has kept them in their thoughts and appreciate the communities concern.