Priest Immigration Status Update - April 13, 2025

A Letter from Fr. Jean-Philippe Lokpo, Pastor

​My dear parishioners, 

Last week I informed the staff, the Parish Finance Council, and the Parish Pastoral Council of challenges I am having getting my immigration status extended. The US is processing Permanent Resident Card (“green card”) applications very slowly due to an unusually high volume of applications. Although I submitted all the required paperwork in 2022, they have yet to act on my application.  

This backlog has already impacted Fr. Godwin Kornu and will soon impact Fr. José Manuel Ortiz. Without a green card, foreign-born priests must return to their country of origin for a year and then be re-issued an  R-1 (religious) visa. In accordance with this, Fr. José will be returning to Mexico this July. If a green card is issued before the year is completed, the applicant can immediately return to the United States.

My R-1 visa will expire in October of this year. The Comboni Provincial Superior of North America and I are exploring options for an interim administrator for the parish should that become necessary. I will also work with our staff, the PPC, and the PFC on ways to increase their involvement in the parish if I must be absent for a period of time. No matter what happens, the parish will be in good hands. 

​I ask for your prayers and your understanding as we navigate this challenge. I am concerned about the disruption this will cause for our St. John XXIII Parish, yet I trust in God’s hand in this and in His care for our faith community. I will keep the councils and you apprised of any new developments. I also ask you to pray for the passage of the recently-introduced Religious Workforce Protection Act (H.R. 2672; S. 1298) , which would allow a religious worker’s R-1 visa to be extended while they wait for a decision on their permanent residence application. Please reach out to me or our parish leadership if you have any questions. 

With prayers for our parish family, 

Fr. Jean-Philippe Lokpo