Blessing Roland-Magaji 鈥�24 covering a July 30 rally supporting bills to expand citizenship options for long-term undocumented residents.
The advocates seek to revise the 1929 Registry Act, a policy that created a path to permanent status and subsequent citizenship for long-term immigrants in the US. Under the act鈥檚 current provisions, only immigrants who have continuously lived in the States since 1972 are eligible. The bills seek to expand eligibility for others who, like Roland-Magaji, arrived later.
Born in Ireland to Nigerian parents, the Scripps alum came to the US at age 11. While at Scripps, Roland-Magaji served as first-year class president and executive vice president of Scripps Associated Students and became the College鈥檚 inaugural Racial Justice and Equity Fellow. They鈥檒l begin studies at Stanford Law School this fall.
鈥淭here are so many temporary solutions. DACA: I immigrated one year too late. When it comes to adjusting [immigration status] through family, I was too old,鈥� says Roland-Magaji. 鈥淭here鈥檚 always bars for people who just want to be able to work and live here. I鈥檝e almost been in the States longer than I was ever in Ireland. This is my home.鈥�