Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed that out of 150 Ghanaians previously detained across various U.S. immigration centers, 100 have had their cases either dismissed or are currently under appeal.

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Briefing Parliament on Thursday, March 13, Mr. Ablakwa clarified that 50 of the affected individuals have received final deportation orders and are set to be repatriated by mid-year.

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"None of the affected Ghanaians are in detention as we speak. 50 out of the 150 individuals have received final deportation orders for court. Their deportation is expected to take place by mid-year. The remaining 100 cases are either under appeal or have been dismissed," he stated.

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The minister further revealed that the government had successfully intervened in the case of a Ghanaian detainee who was released on medical grounds to seek treatment.

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Additionally, three Ghanaians have completed processing and are scheduled to return home on commercial flights on March 19, March 28, and April 1, respectively. Meanwhile, ten others have undergone interviews with the Ghanaian Embassy to confirm their nationality and ensure they receive due process before deportation. Their return is now pending ticket arrangements by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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The latest update follows earlier concerns about mass deportations of Ghanaians from the United States. Last month, reports suggested that as many as 156 Ghanaians were facing imminent removal due to stricter immigration enforcement policies.

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During his appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee in February, Mr. Ablakwa addressed these concerns, stating:

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“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.”

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He assured Parliament that the government, through Ghana’s consulate in the U.S., is closely coordinating with American authorities to oversee a smooth deportation process and provide necessary consular assistance.

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“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.

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The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified deportation efforts following an immigration crackdown initiated on January 26. The operation, involving multiple federal agencies, has led to nearly 1,000 arrests so far, targeting individuals deemed threats to public safety and national security.

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The Ghanaian government remains actively engaged with U.S. authorities to monitor the situation and ensure the well-being of its citizens affected by these deportations.

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