A total of 388 Ghanaians have been detained in the United States since January 2025 over immigration-related issues, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed.
Of those detained, 120 are awaiting final decisions from the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals, while 49 have exhausted all legal avenues and are currently in the process of being deported. So far, 159 Ghanaians have already been deported this year, with 90 returning on commercial flights and 66 deported via ICE-supervised chartered flights.
The Ghanaian Mission in Washington has been actively assisting detained nationals by providing legal representation, verifying nationality, and helping with the processing of travel documents to facilitate their return.
Minister Ablakwa highlighted that many detainees were impacted by Executive Order 14159, part of a broader U.S. immigration enforcement crackdown. He also cautioned Ghanaian students in the U.S. against working while on a student visa, noting that violations could result in detention or deportation.
The Ministry continues to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that Ghanaians in the U.S. receive the necessary support while adhering to local immigration laws.
