Immigration officials in Alaska are attempting to deport a 12-year-old boy from Anchorage, while his attorney works to establish his U.S. citizenship through his father. The case unfolds amidst a broader increase in immigration enforcement efforts during President Donald Trump’s second term.

The Core of the Case: Paternity and Proof

The boy’s mother, originally from Nigeria, gave birth to him in Turkey before seeking asylum in the United States. His attorney, Margaret Stock, asserts that 46-year-old Bolanle Meshach Akinleye is the boy’s father. However, Akinleye, a naturalized U.S. citizen and U.S. Navy veteran currently employed by the federal government, has repeatedly avoided court orders for a paternity test.

A Father's Refusal

“Because the dad is refusing to take a DNA test, the government’s saying, ‘Well, we don't think you’re really a U.S. citizen. We’re going to deport you,’” explained Margaret Stock. Despite documentation suggesting Akinleye’s paternity, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials maintain that the burden of proof hasn’t been met.

Background and Relationship

Akinleye and the boy’s mother met while he was on active duty, with a relationship that resulted in the boy’s birth in December 2013. According to Stock, Akinleye initially promised to marry the mother but later changed his mind. Despite the parents not being together, Stock states the boy and his father have maintained a father-son relationship, with regular birthday wishes and in-person visits.

USCIS Decision and Escalation

In May 2024, the boy applied for a certificate of citizenship. After submitting evidence including Akinleye’s naval records, a DNA test from Akinleye’s brother, and birth records, USCIS denied the application in late 2023, leading to the initiation of removal proceedings. USCIS spokesman Matthew J. Tragesser stated that the burden of proof lies with the boy and his attorney to establish eligibility for citizenship.

Broader Trends in Immigration Enforcement

This case is part of a larger trend of increased immigration enforcement in Alaska and nationwide. The number of immigrant detainees held in Alaska has risen, with 20 in 2023 and 13 in 2024. Stock argues that federal officials are overstating the number of criminals being deported, with many facing deportation despite having no criminal record.

USCIS Concerns and Discrepancies

Bear Dolbeare, the director of the Alaska USCIS field office, acknowledged Akinleye’s citizenship and willingness to support the boy financially. However, he questioned discrepancies in the boy’s records and the timing of their issuance, and deemed the DNA test from Akinleye’s brother insufficient proof of paternity. Dolbeare emphasized that the responsibility to provide a DNA sample from Akinleye rests with the boy and his attorney.

The case highlights the challenges faced by children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, particularly when establishing paternity is complicated. Stock noted that she has handled similar cases in the past, but this is the first time a father has actively avoided a court-ordered paternity test.