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156 Ghanaians to be deported after Trump’s immigration order
156 Ghanaians to be deported after Trump’s immigration order
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 2 mins read
A total of 156 Ghanaians are set to be deported from the United States following an immigration directive issued by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The move comes as part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigrants, which has already led to the arrest of nearly 1,000 individuals.
Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed the development during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee. Addressing concerns about the scale of the deportations, he clarified that earlier reports suggesting that 6,200 Ghanaians were affected were inaccurate.
“There have been reports suggesting that about 6,200 Ghanaians will be affected by the mass deportation from the United States. However, based on the official brief I have received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the actual number currently communicated to us from Washington, D.C., stands at 156, not 6,200,” he stated.
The Ghanaian government, he assured, is actively engaging with U.S. authorities to monitor the situation and ensure that the rights of affected individuals are protected. He emphasized that consular support is being extended through Ghana’s mission in the U.S.
“We will not leave them to struggle on their own. The government of Ghana and its people care about their plight, and we are doing our best to extend consular assistance to them,” he added.
Trump’s directive, which took effect on January 26, has intensified immigration enforcement efforts, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) working alongside various federal agencies to detain individuals considered threats to public safety and national security. The operation is expected to continue in the coming weeks.
In response to the growing concerns about the treatment of Ghanaian nationals abroad, Ablakwa also revealed plans for a Consular Fund to support Ghanaians facing distress in foreign countries.
“As Ranking Member, I strongly advocated for the establishment of a Consular Fund. I was shocked to learn that our hardworking foreign service staff sometimes have to contribute their own money to assist Ghanaians in distress,” he disclosed.
He stressed the need for a dedicated budget line for consular services, in line with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963.
“Currently, there is no specific allocation for consular relations in the foreign service budget. Under the Vienna Convention, countries are expected to extend consular assistance to their citizens. As Foreign Minister, when given the nod, I will ensure that the Consular Fund is established,” he assured.
Ablakwa underscored the urgency of this initiative, particularly in light of the ongoing deportations.
“We must ensure this fund exists and can be accessed by our foreign service staff to extend assistance, particularly at a time when the United States has announced mass deportations. Those affected deserve consular support, including legal assistance, to prevent human rights violations during the deportation process,” he stated.
The government remains in talks with U.S. authorities to oversee the safe return of affected citizens and provide them with necessary reintegration support.
