No Public Confirmation of Togolese Priest Visa Extension in Evanston

First, list of detected linkable resources in order of appearance:
1. R‑1 Temporary Nonimmigrant Religious Workers (uscis_resource)
2. Form I‑129 (form)
3. Form I‑539 (form)
4. Form I‑907 (form)
5. Form I‑360 (form)

Now the article with the specified government links added (only the first mention of each resource linked, preserving all content and structure):

(EVANSTON, ILLINOIS) A report claiming a visa extension was granted to a priest from Togo serving at a Catholic church in Evanston has not been confirmed. As of October 14, 2025, a review of public parish communications, Archdiocese of Chicago channels, and federal immigration notices shows no official statement or record that such an extension has been approved.

Parishioners in Evanston who heard about the matter say they want clarity soon because clergy staffing shapes Mass schedules, sacraments, and community outreach in the city.

Local and national context

Local attention to this story reflects a broader pattern. Across the United States, faith communities depend on foreign-born clergy to meet pastoral needs. When visas are delayed or denied, churches sometimes cut services or rotate priests between several parishes.

• VisaVerge.com reports that staffing pressure has increased in recent years due to processing backlogs and changing documentary requirements, particularly for religious worker classifications.
• Church sources in Evanston note that visiting clergy often serve on R‑1 Temporary Nonimmigrant Religious Workers, a temporary visa for ministers and other religious workers.

Under federal rules, the religious organization—not the priest—files the petition. If a priest from Togo is ministering at an Evanston parish, the sponsoring church or the Archdiocese would normally handle extensions or changes of status. Without formal confirmation, however, it remains unclear whether any filing was made or approved in this case.

Policy context and why it matters in Evanston

Religious worker cases can be time-sensitive. Priests, sisters, and lay ministers often face travel limits and work end dates tied to their I‑94 arrival record. If a visa extension remains pending too close to the end of authorized stay, churches can face sudden gaps in coverage.

In Evanston, such gaps could affect:

• Mass times and language-specific services
• Pastoral care for the sick and elderly
• Scheduling of baptisms, weddings, and funerals

Nationally, approvals hinge on clear proof that the sponsoring body is a bona fide nonprofit religious organization and that the worker meets religious requirements. USCIS often conducts onsite inspections before approving R‑1 petitions.

According to USCIS guidance for R-1 Temporary Nonimmigrant Religious Workers, sponsors must show detailed evidence of the religious role, compensation, and the organization’s tax-exempt status.

Readers can review the official R‑1 page on USCIS for eligibility and evidence standards at the agency’s site: R‑1 Temporary Nonimmigrant Religious Workers.

What an extension would involve

If a parish in Evanston were seeking to keep a priest from Togo in place, the roadmap would likely include:

1. Filing a petition with USCIS using Form I‑129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker by the sponsoring parish or diocese: Form I‑129
2. Ensuring the priest maintains status and does not overstay the I‑94 end date
3. Responding quickly to any USCIS Requests for Evidence (RFEs) asking for proof of duties, funding, or the organization’s religious nature
4. Preparing for or referencing a prior site visit by USCIS to confirm the religious organization’s operations

If the priest is already in the United States and needs extra time while a new petition is reviewed, counsel sometimes uses Form I‑539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status in coordination with the main petition strategy: Form I‑539.

For time-sensitive cases, sponsors may consider Form I‑907, Request for Premium Processing Service, which can speed up many petition types for an extra fee when available: Form I‑907. It is important to verify current premium processing eligibility for the R‑1 category before filing.

Longer-term options

Some parishes look beyond short-term fixes. A longer-term path could involve a green card filing under the special immigrant religious worker category using Form I‑360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant: Form I‑360.

• This route requires full-time work in a religious role and carries different rules and timelines.
• It takes more time and planning and may not address immediate staffing needs.

Key timing rule

While each case is unique, the core timing rule is simple: Do not let authorized stay expire. Churches in Evanston often calendar the I‑94 date and file months in advance to avoid service gaps. When delays hit, parishes sometimes shift schedules or bring in retired clergy to cover.

Human impact and community response

Community members in Evanston emphasize the human side. A priest from abroad may build tight bonds with families, youth programs, and local schools. When his future is uncertain, people feel anxious and want straightforward answers.

Officials with experience in church immigration work suggest three practical steps for parish leaders in Evanston:

• Keep parishioners informed with plain-language updates during Mass and on parish websites.
• Coordinate closely with the Archdiocese of Chicago legal or clergy personnel office, which often handles filings and timelines for multiple parishes.
• If travel is involved, monitor embassy appointment backlogs and plan for possible delays in passport return and visa issuance.

USCIS policy on religious workers has evolved in recent years, including closer review of compensation and job duties. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, many denials stem from gaps in documentation, especially where job descriptions are vague or the employer’s tax-exempt status records are incomplete.

Evanston parishes can reduce risk by keeping organized files that match filings, including:

• Payroll records and housing allowances
• Ministry schedules and job descriptions
• Documentation of tax-exempt status and governance

Some readers ask whether media attention helps. Public attention can draw community support, but it does not replace paperwork. The official record remains what USCIS receives and decides. If the Evanston case involves an R‑1 worker, the deciding factors will be evidence quality, prior site verification, and whether the petition was filed before the I‑94 date runs out.

Parish staff also point out that extended travel can cause status issues even after approval. If a priest from Togo travels home and returns, airline staff and border officers will look for the correct visa stamp and current petition approval. Keeping copies of approval notices and parish contact information in hand is a simple, useful practice.

Current status and next steps

At this stage, without a formal notice from USCIS or a public statement from the parish or the Archdiocese, the claim of a granted visa extension remains unverified.

Parishioners in Evanston seeking certainty should:

• Ask their pastor or parish office for the latest confirmed update.
• Expect that, if appropriate, the Archdiocese may share a limited summary once there is a final decision, mindful of privacy and employment rules.

Practical checklist for Evanston parish leaders

• Confirm the I‑94 date and set calendar reminders well ahead of any deadline.
• Review R‑1 eligibility and evidence lists on the USCIS website and align parish records.
• Use official forms and instructions: Form I‑129, Form I‑539, Form I‑907, Form I‑360.
• Coordinate with the Archdiocese and, if needed, experienced immigration counsel.
• Share clear, timely updates with the Evanston community until there is a confirmed outcome.

For now, the most accurate statement is also the simplest: there is no public confirmation that a visa extension has been granted to a priest from Togo serving at a Catholic church in Evanston. If that changes, an official notice from church leadership or USCIS would provide the clarity parishioners are waiting for.