Boy Alinco: My Marriage To US Lady For Citizenship Was Bitter Experience
Boy Alinco Reflects on His Challenging Journey to US Citizenship Through Marriage
Nigerian actor and comedian, Bayo Bankole, widely known as Boy Alinco, has opened up about the tough experiences he faced while seeking US citizenship.
The actor, best known for his role in the popular sitcom Papa Ajasco, shared the details of his difficult journey during a recent appearance on The Teju Babyface Show.
Now 56, Bankole explained that he made the decision to leave his family in Nigeria and pursue US citizenship via marriage in 2015. He revealed that he married an American woman just seven months after meeting her, but the initial years of their marriage were far from easy. According to Bankole, the first two years were especially tough, marked by financial hardships.
To support his family both in the US and Nigeria, the actor took on various low-paying jobs. He attributed much of his struggles to the type of account he had with his wife and the lack of advice or mentorship throughout the process.
Bankole admitted that his experience was unfortunate, as he had no one to guide him through the intricacies of the citizenship process. However, he expressed relief that things have since improved, and he now has his children from Nigeria living with him in the US.
He holds no resentment toward his wife and is looking forward to the future. Reflecting on his journey, Bankole shared, “I had the chance to travel frequently in 1999 and 2000, but I first came to the US in April 2015. After meeting a woman, I returned to Nigeria later that year in October, got settled, and decided to marry her. The experience was tough, and I had to stay back. Those two years are memories I’d rather not revisit. I even mentioned in my green card application that I am an Asunkungbade — someone who fights hard for their success. But in the end, I thank God for how things turned out.”
He also acknowledged that the journey to US citizenship is a long and difficult process for many, unlike the luckier few who find it easier.
