Ghanaian professor granted work after long struggle for authorization

By Gus Bode

A professor from the Black American Studies program who was still waiting to hear from Citizenship and Immigration Services on whether he was eligible to work in the United States and at the University received word Tuesday via e-mail that his work authorization had been approved.

Leonard Gadzepko, a native of Ghana, was waiting for news from the Immigration Services as the first day of the semester began. It would have been against the law for him to step onto campus because his work status was still in question.

While the situation was frustrating, Gadzepko said he has come to expect these sorts of hassles.

Advertisement

Last year, he petitioned help from Congressman Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, for the same reason and received his work authorization paperwork.

He learned about the recent situation during the winter break and contacted the congressman’s office once again, as well as a St. Louis lawyer.

Both his lawyer and Costello’s office refused to comment about his status, citing privacy issues.

This year however, the process took longer than usual because the professor had filed for permanent residency in the United States. Immigration Services requires immigrants to file and re-file work authorization papers every year.

Gadzepko was also at the whim of the U.S. government last semester when the government denied Ghana’s national airline access to U.S. airspace, leaving the SIUC professor stranded in the country. He was grounded for 10 days before he arrived a week into fall semester.

Tuesday morning, when contacted, Gadzepko was at home while the Rev. Joseph Brown, chairman of the Black American Studies program, substituted his 9 a.m. class.

“I should be there in class,” Gadzepko said before he heard the Immigration Services approved his paperwork, “but I tried to do what I can.”

Advertisement*

Immigration Services normally takes up to 75 days to respond to work authorization inquiries.

Gadzepko said he had waited several weeks after that typical time period. Meanwhile, he elicited help from the dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Shirley Clay Scott, Brown and other administrators. But it was Gadzepko’s lawyer who played the biggest and most important role in the approval, Brown said.

Brown was 30 minutes into Gadzepko’s 2 p.m. class when Gadzepko arrived to teach his class. Brown immediately asked him if he had his paperwork in order because of the potential legal action the federal government could take against him for working without authorization.

Gadzepko produced the printout, and Brown almost fainted.

“It’s horrible what he’s been put through,” Brown said. “I’m just glad that he’s back.”

Reporter Moustafa Ayad can be reached at [email protected]

Advertisement