ICE Moves to Deport 12-Year-Old U.S. Citizen Amid Birthright Debate

ICE has placed a 12-year-old boy and his mother in removal proceedings in Anchorage, Alaska. The child was born in Turkey to a Nigerian mother and Bolanle Meshach Akinleye, a naturalized U.S. citizen who served in the military. The family entered the United States on a visitor visa. USCIS requested a DNA test to confirm paternity; Akinleye refused. Without DNA proof, the government is proceeding with deportation despite the boy’s citizenship claim.

Newsweek

The case coincides with the U.S. Supreme Court’s review of Donald Trump’s Jan. 2025 executive order to limit birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. A ruling in favor of the order could require DNA verification for children born abroad to U.S. citizens, affecting many similar cases.

Newsweek

Attorney Margaret Stock of Cascadia Cross Border Law Group represents the boy and mother. Father Bolanle Meshach Akinleye, a naturalized citizen and former service member, refuses DNA testing. ICE and USCIS lead the removal; DHS issues statements; DOJ tracks the case.

Newsweek

The DHS spokesperson says the boy and his mother are “illegal immigrants” and that “they have provided no evidence that either of his parents are U.S. citizens,” noting the child’s citizenship application was denied and a court date set. The DOJ tracker lists the boy’s next hearing for January 2027; his mother’s asylum claim remains pending.

Newsweek

Stock argues the DNA request is retaliation against the mother and reflects bias against military families, warning that a Supreme Court endorsement of the order could generate “hundreds of thousands of cases like this” requiring DNA proof for citizenship.

Newsweek

DHS says no citizenship evidence exists, while Stock cites photos, videos and a birthday greeting as proof of paternity. The father’s DNA refusal remains unexplained, and attempts to contact him have failed. The mother lives in Lagos, Nigeria, limiting communication.

Newsweek

• “We have tons of evidence that this guy is the father,” Stock said. “Including massive numbers of photos and videos of the two of them, and the father recorded video wishing him a happy birthday on his birthday.” — Margaret Stock, Attorney

Newsweek

• “The child can't establish he's a citizen, and right now, the government's trying to deport him,” — Margaret Stock, Attorney

Newsweek

• “They have provided no evidence that either of his parents are U.S. citizens. His application for a citizenship was denied. They have a scheduled court date and will receive full due process.” — DHS spokesperson

Newsweek

• “The DHS spokesperson suggested self-deportation, telling Newsweek, "Parents can take control of their departure with the CBP Home app and reserve the chance to come back the right legal way.” — DHS spokesperson

Newsweek

The boy’s next immigration hearing is scheduled for January 2027. The Supreme Court’s decision on the birthright-citizenship order could reshape evidentiary requirements for children born abroad, prompting litigation and legislative action.

Newsweek