Is Michael Ilesanmi in the United States? The 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? star and his long-distance love, Angela Deem, finally tied the knot after three years together and several stuggles. But fans are wondering if the Nigeria native was able to complete the visa process so he could start his life with Angela in America.
The couple were first introduced to fans on season 2 of TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days. They met on social media and documented their first in-person meeting on the show, along with their highs and lows — included Michael’s heartbreaking K-1 visa denial. They filmed their beautiful American traditional wedding ceremony and reception, which took place in Nigeria, for season 5 of 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?
Shortly after they celebrated their love with friends and family at their reception, the couple stepped out for a nightcap at a local bar. There, they discussed their plans for the next steps in their relationship.
“I’m ready to start the spousal visa right away, Michael,” Anglea, 55, said during the scene. The spousal visa, also known as the CR-1 visa, allows the spouse of an American citizen to legally enter the United States as a permanent resident. “We wasted enough time with this K-1 and money. It’s time for you to come home. I know this is your home, but our home.”
Michael, 32, agreed. “Hopefully the Lord’s on our side. You’ll get it within six to eight months is what I’m praying,” Angela said. “I pray too. Let’s have faith and be positive and pray,” Michael said.
Even though their wedding episode aired in September, the couple actually tied the knot on January 27, 2020. Judging by Angela and Michael’s eagerness, the Georgia native may have filed for his CR-1 visa as soon as she got back to the states. Unfortunately, as fans watched on the episode, Angela got devastating news on her wedding night and learned her elderly and sick mother, Glenda Faye Standridge, had been hospitalized in the ICU. Just one week later, Mrs. Standridge died on February 8, so it appears Angela may not have had time to file for Michael’s visa while caring for her mother and handing her funeral arrangements.
After mourning the loss of her mom, Angela may have then been able to file for the visa, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) put a hold on all visa applications and interviews. If Angela did file before the state was shut down in March, it’s possible that the process could have been restarted again once it opened up following the lockdown.
But as Angela said, it could take six to eight months for the CR-1 to be approved. When they returned for the tell-all, she confirmed that she had begun the process for Michael’s visa to come to the U.S., but with the delays due to COVID-19, their process will take a little bit longer and Michael may not be coming to America any time soon. Angela said they would, realistically, be looking at about a year before Michael can come to the United States.
When the couple returned for season 6 of 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?, they were still apart. Filming for the season took place in fall and winter of 2020, and Michael was still not in America at the time.
In July 2021, it seemed Michael is still not in America with Angela and her family. On July 18, Angela shared a screenshot of what appeared to be a video chat between her granddaughter Ariah and her long-distance husband, Michael. In the shot, little Ariah beamed at her step-grandfather and Michael smiled right back. “Look @Ariah she loves her poppy,” Angela gushed in the caption.
Five months later, Angela was spotted celebrating her birthday in Las Vegas with her closest 90 Day Fiancé costars. Several fans ran into her during her party, and one fan overheard an update on Michael’s visa and took to social media to spill the tea. “Her and Michael are still together and waiting on his visa,” the fan wrote via Reddit.
Hopefully, Michael and Angela will be reunited in America soon!