Okon E. Iyamba v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, Board of Immigration Appeals

This case hinges on the proof and validity of an extra-judicial customary divorce in Nigeria. Okon E. Iyamba initially came to the United States from Nigeria on a student visa. His status was adjusted to that of a lawful permanent resident in September 1983 upon his marriage to an American citizen. In a 1992 order to show cause, the Immigration and Naturalization Service charged him with deportability under the Immigration and Nationality Act § 241(a)(1)(B) (now 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(1)(B)), alleging he was ineligible for the status adjustment because his prior marriage to Lucy Iyamba, a…