Thursday, 13th March, 2025
Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
North Tongu
Mr Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to make this Statement on the deportation of Ghanaians from the United States of America (USA).
Background:
Mr Speaker, by way of background, upon assuming office as President of the United States of America (USA), His Excellency Donald Trump instituted several executive actions, including Executive Order on deportation. Central to President Trump’s immigration agenda was his firm commitment to carrying out mass deportations of individuals living in the USA without legal status. This initiative primarily targeted those who either entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas.
As of 23rd February, 2025, the United States has implemented significant changes to its immigration policies, leading to profound consequences for migrant communities. These changes have resulted in mass deportations of undocumented migrants and heightened enforcement measures along the southern border with Mexico.
Initially, the deportation efforts under the Trump Administration prioritised undocumented immigrants and non-citizen residents with serious criminal records. However, reports indicate that individuals without criminal histories, those with final deportation orders, individuals with expired visas, and even recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) have also been subject to deportation.
According to data from the USA Immigration and Customs Enforcement, approximately 37,660 individuals were deported in January, 2025. No Ghanaians were included in that number. However, 94 Ghanaians were deported from the USA in 2024. The ongoing raids by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and reports of mass deportations have fostered a climate of fear and uncertainty within migrant communities.
Actions taken by the USA Authorities:
To further bolster deportation efforts, President Trump signed a memorandum on 29th January, 2025, directing the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to expand the Migrant Operations Center at Guantanamo Bay. This expansion will facilitate the temporary housing of up to 30,000 undocumented immigrants. Following this directive, 178 Venezuelan migrants were transferred to the facility and subsequently deported to Honduras, from where they were repatriated to Venezuela. As of now, no Ghanaian national is reportedly detained at this facility.
Increased border security:
The Trump Administration’s strengthened border enforcement has led to a notable reduction in illegal migrant crossings, particularly along the southern border.
According to data from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), daily arrests in the El Paso sector of the border fell dramatically from 1,800 in 2023 to fewer than 100 in January 2025. This decline in illegal crossings is largely attributed to a comprehensive government strategy that involved collaboration across multiple federal agencies. The Departments of State, Defence and Justice, alongside Homeland Security and ICE, worked together to enhance border security and tighten enforcement measures.
These efforts included increased border patrols, the construction of additional barriers, and the deployment of advanced surveillance technologies to monitor and prevent illegal crossings. The concerted strategy appears to have significantly disrupted migration patterns in the region, contributing to the reduction in arrests and crossings.
However, Mr Speaker, while the administration views this as a success in border control, it has also led to ongoing debates about the broader impacts of migrant communities and the human rights concerns associated with such stringent enforcement measures. In partnership with Panama and Costa Rica, the USA has established agreements to temporarily detain deportees in these countries before they are returned to their home countries. Under these arrangements, migrants who are deported from the USA are often held in detention camps in Panama or Costa Rica as part of the deportation process.
However, reports from detainees have highlighted concerning conditions in these camps. Migrants held in Panama, for example, have complained about harsh living conditions, limited freedoms, and restricted access to legal assistance. These complaints have raised concerns about the treatment of individuals awaiting deportation in these temporary detention facilities.
Mr Speaker, the Ghana Mission in Washington has reported that two Ghanaian nationals were recently deported to Costa Rica by ICE. The Mission is working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), for eventual transfer to Ghana. The involvement of these third-party countries in the deportation process reflects a broader USA strategy to manage its deportation efforts and control migration flows.
Targeting of Unaccompanied Migrant Children:
A recent directive has instructed US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to locate and deport unaccompanied migrant children who enter the USA without parental guardianship. This initiative targets over 600,000 unaccompanied minors who have entered the USA since 2019. The measures being implemented as part of this initiative include the use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing to verify familial relationships, to ensure that children are returned to their families or home countries safely.
However, the initiative has raised concerns regarding the potential removal of children who have been living in the USA for extended periods, particularly those residing in state shelters or with non-relative sponsors. Among those potentially affected are Ghanaian children. As of now, there are four children who are known to the Ghana Mission who fall under this category. These children, like many others, may face the possibility of deportation if they are unable to prove familial connections or guardianship under the new ICE directive.
The move has raised alarm within advocacy groups who have expressed concerns about the impact it may have on the safety and well-being of these vulnerable minors. While checks indicate that there have been no large-scale deportations of Ghanaian nationals; the immigration enforcement measures implemented by the Trump Administration are having a significant impact on the Ghanaian community. One of the sources of confusion and concern has been reports that suggest that USA immigration officers are closely scrutinising individuals with dual citizenship, particularly those who travel abroad using both their USA and Ghanaian passports. This has further heightened uncertainty within the Ghanaian community, as many individuals fear that their travel may lead to complications with immigration authorities.
Mr Speaker, currently, the mood within the Ghanaian community is one of fear and anxiety. Several leaders from various Ghanaian associations have expressed concerns about the growing apprehension among community members. There has been a noticeable decline in attendance at events, with many individuals opting to avoid public gatherings to reduce their risk of encountering immigration enforcement.
Similarly, some Ghanaian churches have reported a significant drop in participation, which they attribute to the strict immigration measures enforced by the Trump Administration. Many community members are reportedly hesitant to engage in social or religious activities due to the ongoing fears surrounding their immigration status.
This trend, Mr Speaker, is expected to continue unless the Trump Administration eases its hard stance on immigration, offering reassurance to immigrant communities. As long as these measures remain in place, the climate of fear and uncertainty is likely to persist, affecting not only the community but also other immigrant populations across the USA. These are the measures the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken so far.
In response to the ongoing concerns about potential deportations, the Ministry has begun engaging with all relevant stakeholders to prepare for the possible deportation of Ghanaian nationals from the USA A key step in this process was a stakeholder meeting held on the 17th February, 2025. The meeting aimed to develop comprehensive preparatory measures in anticipation of potential deportations, evaluate vulnerabilities within the Ghanaian community, and establish necessary support mechanisms.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the identification of resources needed to provide assistance to deported nationals, including transportation to their final destinations and any available reintegration programmes. Additionally, the stakeholders discussed the importance of coordinating efforts between the Ministry, local organisations, and our international partners to ensure that Ghanaian nationals who are deported are adequately supported upon their return to Ghana. The meeting also focused on the need to secure budgetary allocation to address these challenges and ensure that the Ministry can provide the necessary resources for deportees, as well as address the broader humanitarian aspect of the deportation process.
The Ministry’s proactive engagement with stakeholders reflects a commitment to minimising the impact on affected individuals and ensuring that proper support systems are put in place for those who eventually return to Ghana. Institutions represented at the meeting were the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the National Security Secretariat, Research Department, the Ghana Immigration Service, the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the National Ambulance Service, the Department of Social Welfare, and Port Health.
Now, Mr Speaker, on the 21st February, 2025, I held a very constructive meeting with the USA Ambassador to Ghana, H. E. Virginia E. Palmer. The meeting sought broader cooperation and understanding of exactly what USA authorities were engaged in, and we also sought to ensure that the deportations are carried out in a very humane manner. It will be recalled that there have been times in recent years where nationals have been deported in conditions which were most appalling, for example, deporting people in chains, handcuffs, chaining them to their seats as they are flown into our country. We have stated that we will want these matters to be an incident occurring in the past and that we do not want them to recur. These deportations must be carried out in a humane manner.
During the meeting, it was also emphasised that the affected Ghanaians do not have criminal records and that any Ghanaian currently serving a jail term will not be deported until their sentence has been fully served. we have received full assurances from the U.S. Ambassador in Accra on these matters.
Updates from the Washington mission indicates as follows:
Currently, there are 150 Ghanaians in detention across various centres in the U.S. who are awaiting deportation for crimes such as rape, internet fraud, and illegal entry. None of the affected Ghanaians are in detention as we speak. 50 out of the 150 individuals have received final deportation orders from the courts. Their deportation is expected to take place by mid-year, mid-2025. The remaining 100 cases are either under appeal or have been dismissed.
Representations have been made to U.S. authorities on behalf of one Ghanaian on the grounds of ill health, and he has been released to seek medical care. On the 20th December, 2024, our embassy in Washington was informed of another one Ghanaian with a medical condition who requested expedited removal as his condition was not improving with the treatment he was receiving in detention. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was promptly notified, and the individual was processed for removal, departing the U.S. on the 30th January, 2025. So that individual is now within our jurisdiction.
Three Ghanaians have also been processed and are scheduled to depart from the United States on commercial flights on the 19th March, 2025, the 28th March, 2025, and 1st April, 2025, respectively. Ten Ghanaians have also been interviewed by the Embassy to verify their nationalities and ensure that they have received a fair hearing. They are now awaiting the Department of Homeland Security to purchase their flight tickets before their travel documents for their deportation can be issued.
The Ghana Embassy in Washington, in collaboration with Ghanaian immigration attorneys in the U.S.A have been organising virtual town hall meetings to offer legal guidance and support to nationals facing immigration challenges. Upon the issuance of final removal orders, the individual’s names will be forwarded to the Ministry for further processing. It should be noted that the aforementioned cases existed prior to President Trump’s assumption of office, with the exception of two Ghanaians who were deported to Costa Rica, as outlined in the actions taken by the U.S. authorities.
In line with the Ministry’s established practises and in collaboration with the relevant authorities, arrangements will be made to ensure the reception of our compatriots upon their arrival in Ghana. This will include health screening, psychological support, assistance with specific needs, and transportation to their final destination, reintegration. The Ministry is in discussion with National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other partners, including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), to extend support in reintegration and providing additional sources of livelihood to our compatriots upon arrival.
Options include arranging skills training, micro-financing opportunities, and psychological support to help individuals reintegrate into the society and rebuild their livelihoods. Additionally, we will work with local authorities and communities to ensure that those returning are supported in their re-admission into the society to enable them contribute to their communities. Mr Speaker, in conclusion, the Ministry continues to closely monitor developments related to the potential deportation of Ghanaian nationals from the U.S. A to inform further actions. This ongoing monitoring will allow the Ministry to stay updated on any changes in immigration policies, enforcement practices, or shifts in the situation that may affect the Ghanaian community. The operationalisation of the Consular Fund, as approved by Cabinet, will be critical in supporting our affected compatriots returning home. It is anticipated that the Ministry’s budget, which is before this august House and awaiting approval, will receive your kind approval of the US$2 million we have allocated to operationalise the Consular Fund.
Mr Speaker, based on these developments, the Ministry will assess the need for additional measures, resources, or interventions to support affected individuals. By staying proactive and responsive, the Ministry aims to ensure that Ghanaian nationals are well supported throughout this process, whether through legal assistance, re-integration programmes, or other necessary forms of aid. Further actions will be determined in coordination with all stakeholders. But the message we want to send to our compatriots very clearly is that they are not alone in these difficult times. Their Government and the people in Parliament will make sure that their consular needs, are supported.
Mr Speaker, we will continue to do all we can to make sure that we are with them throughout these processes until they arrive and they are fully reintegrated in our communities. This is the update on the situation involving the potential deportation, of some 150 Ghanaians from the United States of America. Mr Speaker, I thank you very much.
Hon Patrick Yaw Boamah
Okaikwei Central
Mr Speaker, thank you very much. Mr Speaker, I would want to catch the Minister’s attention.
Mr Speaker, if you go to the website of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), November 2024, one would realise that there is a table that ICE or the U.S. agencies put out, which has listed all the countries and the persons to be deported. On that table, Ghana has about 3,228 of our nationals listed to be repatriated or deported. In the Minister’s Statement, he mentioned about 150 or so, 50 of whom have gotten final deportation orders from the U.S. institution. So, I would want to seek further clarification from him on this one.
Secondly, I listed the budget, and the Hon Minister came at the end of his Statement to talk about a US$2 million consular support fund for its operationalisation. I would not belabour that. But with his stakeholder engagement, I also realise he left out the engagement with the IOM. He listed a host of institutions, RD, the Ministry itself, and other institutions, but I realise he did not engage the IOM, which is very important in this matter, and his engagement with the U.S. Ambassador is also very important.
Thirdly, he mentioned that three people are to buy their own tickets and fly down as per the U.S. requirements, and also ten are being interviewed. The person or those who have already been deported, what has been the Ministry’s engagement? Because at the tail end of the Minister’s presentation, he spoke about reintegration. What has been some of the follow-ups? Has the Ministry gotten any response from this person ever since he or she got back into the country? Those are some of the preliminary matters I would want him to address. Thank you.
Hon Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu
Madina
Mr Speaker, thank you very much.
Mr Speaker, I want to commend the Minister for Foreign Affairs for this very detailed briefing of the House, and to also commend the Ministry for the proactive measures that the Ministry is taking in respect of these our compatriots.
Indeed, Mr Speaker, going through the process of deportation obviously would be a very traumatising situation. The least we can do as a country and as Leaders of this country is to be available and provide assistance to these compatriots who, unfortunately, find themselves in this space. I am really excited, particularly about the preparedness to receive these people who have already received their deportation orders.
I would want to urge this House that when that time comes, I think the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and the Leadership of this House should also be very interested in how we receive these people and how we assist them to integrate. We all know that immigration and migration is a fact of life, and many of these compatriots who find themselves on the other side went with really good intentions, sometimes just to find greener pastures and so on and so forth. So, if they find themselves in this unfortunate situation, then the state must, indeed, protect and support them.
I just want to commend the Ministry and their various agencies for what they are doing: getting in touch with them and ensuring that when they come back, we are even preparing to get them counsellors who can counsel them and properly integrate them into the society. I believe that this is a caring Ministry, and we need to commend the Minister for that. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Hon Korkor Laurette Asante
Atiwa West
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
Mr Speaker, I just want to make a comment and ask a couple of questions. We know that the United States of America (USA) has long been a beacon of hope to a lot of people across the world, Ghana included; so, we do have a lot of Ghanaians over there. Some may have overstayed their visa, or gone through other means, which is why they have been deported.
But one thing for sure is, and I am sure the Minister who probably has done the research will agree, if we do a profile of the Ghanaians who are being deported, probably they do not have criminal records. If we have maybe one or two, it may be because of traffic tickets or something, but we will find that a large number of them do not have criminal records. They are there and are living responsibly; they work and are basically law-abiding people over there, but for their visa overstay and their immigration problem.
So, I am glad to hear that the Minister said he has basically negotiated with the United States of America to not have them brought over in handcuffs because they are not prisoners, and they are not prisoners of war, and they are certainly not slaves to be brought back in shackles. So, I am really glad to hear that.
Another important thing that I would like some clarification on is reintegration. This is because reintegration is extremely important and critical for the Ghanaian deportees coming back. Most of them have left Ghana for years, probably decades, and they may not even know their way around Accra. Accra has changed. If they have not been here, which they have not, because there is no way since they did not have their papers over there; they would not have been able to travel back to Ghana for years. So, they will even be lost in Accra, let alone find their way to their villages or their hometowns.
Secondly, this is very traumatic. It is a devastating experience for each one of them and I cannot even imagine what it is like for the children who are involved. So, we really must have a reintegration action. Aside from the long term—We must have a long-term reintegration strategy because it is not just going to be 150, trust me. With the way Trump is going, it would not be just 150 people who would be deported. There are probably going to be thousands of people who would be deported. So, I would urge the Minister for Foreign Affairs to have a long-term reintegration strategy.
I also heard him mention, I think, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), that normally supports reintegration. However, with a string of orders that President Trump signed right after he got into office, which was one of the mass deportations in the history of America—There was funding cuts. The IOM has been cut deeply because I know that they are actually laying off about 5,000 workers, and there will be more. So, I know that the IOM funding in Ghana has probably been hit as well; we need to find out. This is because normally, I believe that they would have supported the reintegration.
So, my question is, will the Government of Ghana provide funding for reintegration of these deportees because it is critical in terms of the economic hardship? They would face economic hardship. They will come; they will not have jobs, and they will not have any money on them because when they are picked up by the US Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), they are not allowed to go home or go to their bank accounts to withdraw any money that they have saved from the work that they are doing. They are coming with nothing, with no clothes on. The only clothes on their back are what they are probably coming with.
So, we really have to make sure that we help them with the economic challenges they are going to face and the stigma because unfortunately, in Ghana, there is a stigma when people are deported. It is like they failed over there, but it is not about failure for these people. This is because if we go into their profile, which I hope the Ministry will do, we will find that they were responsible people over there. Some of them probably even have mortgages over there where they bought property, have kids in school, and some of them even pay taxes. We would be surprised, all right? So, they are not criminals, and there is no failure about this. The only thing is that they went over there in search of whatever hope they were seeking over there, and unfortunately, they were not able to get their papers back, so they are being deported.
So, my question is in terms of the long-term strategy for the reintegration, and if IOM would be depended on. We really need to take a look at that and review that because there have been serious deep cuts in IOM all over the world, where they are actually laying off 5,000 people and their programmes are also being withdrawn. It has not even been suspended; it is being withdrawn, so we really have to look at that. Then there are unaccompanied migrant children too. I would like some more information on that because they are unaccompanied; who are they coming to? We have to really focus on the reintegration. Otherwise, we probably would have some homeless deportees when they get here, especially for those who may not have connections with their family
Thank you, Mr Speaker. So, I would like to hear more about the reintegration strategy.
Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh
Nsawam/Adoagyiri
Mr Speaker, I think this House must pat its shoulder for what it has done and show more responsibility and response to the need of our people.
Mr Speaker, I must commend the Speakership for inviting the Minister to apprise the House.
Mr Speaker, I listened to our Colleague and the Minister, giving details on the statistics, the engagements that have gone on so far, and what his outfit seeks to do in the future. I cannot agree more with him when he says the action has fostered uncertainty and fear, and it is something we cannot gloss over. We cannot play it down. It is a grave matter, and we have to be up and doing. The statistics and the figures he put out, the 150, and he reflected on a certain 50 to whom the Minister spoke to have received their final deportation orders. He went ahead to talk about the 100 where the Minister says it is either on appeal or dismissal, and for me, there was no conclusion on that.
At this point, I expected the Minister to give us some conclusive statement that out of the 100 outstanding, 50 are on appeal or some numbers are also being dismissed. But he is telling us the truth, and I have no reason to worry or to have a problem with him. But I am just saying that at this point, we as a country should be able to be on top of the situation, and tell with certainty the number that has been dismissed and the number that is still on appeal.
Mr Speaker, the Minister spoke on reintegration, and he mentioned the Consular Fund. It is something we have all been—I recall in our other world, when he was Ranking Member and I was Chair, it had been a matter that we had been passionate about.
Thankfully, it has seen the light of day. But I am afraid to say the Consular Fund is not enough. We cannot rely on the Consular Fund at this time; this is a case of emergency. We are yet to even pass the Budget, and because it is an emergency, I want to implore the Minister that we have to work around the clock and find some oxygen to support our compatriots.
Fortunately, Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister put out some solutions. I was expecting that he would define these solutions in the short-term, mediumterm, and long-term, so we would know that in the next one month, this is what the Minister will be doing to deal with the challenge at hand. When the Hon Minister was a Ranking Member in the Eighth Parliament, we worked together. Very typical of him; I am sure if he was the Ranking Member, by now, he would have been visiting some of the centres of detention. Up to this time, he has not told us if he has been to Costa Rica or not. Would he go or not? And I see my Chair, Hon Vanderpuije, he should be advising the Minister or get the Ranking Member, the Chair, and the Minister to be on their way to Costa Rica. He has to visit the detention centres . I know he will do it, but the Minister has to do that— it is in the pipeline
So let me plead with my Minister. In fact, he has given a detailed report, which is good enough. That one, I would not take it away from him. But the extent to which there are reports on human rights abuses, we must go there and see for ourselves. I commend him for also engaging the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana. He cannot put out all details of the engagement; I understand the diplomatic parlance and the language. But the Minister, the Chair, and the Ranking Member must be on the next available flight on their way to the centres. Yes, that is important. Hon Minister, and I am sure the Speaker is in support. I see the Speaker nodding; the Speaker fully supports me. So, the Hon Minister must revise his mind.
Well, Mr Speaker, I will steer clear of the mandatory aspect, just to make a suggestion to the Minister. And I saw him nodding. He knows it is a very popular call. This has been his modus operandi; he is very good at that.
Mr Speaker, allow him to use his talent. So, I commend the House, and our compatriots over there, hearing the Parliament of Ghana taking some actions on these matters, will be very happy about it. So let me conclude on the note that his short-term, mediumterm intervention should be defined. And he should not overly rely on the Consular Fund. He should work around it, find some support which will be an interim intervention before the passage of the Appropriation. I think if we are able to do this, it will go a long way to help our compatriots. Also, Committee on Foreign Affairs, this cannot be a one-off intervention. It has to be a sustained, well-regulated and monitored effort.
Mr Speaker, in the next one month, the Committee on Foreign Affairs should be briefing this House as a result of a briefing they have received from the sector Minister on interventions, fallout, and what has become of the effort of the Ministry. I think if we do that, it will not be one-off efforts, which will not be good enough. Having said this, I want to commend our Colleague for a detailed report, and for him to note that we are also going to monitor in the coming days. Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.
Hon George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan
Cape Coast South
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, and to the House for inviting the Minister here to come and update us on the situation going on in the United States.
And Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Minister very much for a very comprehensive Statement that he has made here today which should be comforting to Ghanaians that we have a Minister and a Ministry who are being responsible in trying to deal with this situation.
From what he has said, I am absolutely clear in my mind that he has plans in place in dealing with this; whether short-term, medium-term or long-term, as the Hon Member indicated. We cannot, as a country, blame President Trump for doing what he is doing. We may not like what he is doing, but he is doing it for America, for his country. We have to do what we have to do. First and foremost, we have to be law-abiding citizens, as we are in our country, and wherever we go. The people who have gone there are not criminals, but they are being brought home for a reason of not having the right documentation and all that.
So, we have to also advise our brothers and sisters that when they do travel, they should make sure that they do what they have to do to live in that country as legally as they can be. Just as Ghanaians, we want people to come and live here legally. But when such a situation arises, we have to be able to help our brothers and sisters. We cannot just leave them because we think they have made a mistake. So I am very happy with what the Minister has said today and all the people that he has managed to meet, including the American ambassador here.
It is important that we take our case to where we should take it. And the closest he can get to Donald Trump is actually to go to the Ambassador. So, I am very happy with all the things that the Minister has put in place. I wish the Minister well and I hope that his team, that is in the States and around here, are able to help the Minister. I am sure the necessary travels will be done to make sure that our people are fine.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Minister very much for coming to brief us, and I thank you, Mr Speaker.
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