ACCRA, April 17, 2025 — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has assured the public that it is actively coordinating the safe return and reintegration of 160 Ghanaians who are facing deportation from the United States amid an intensified immigration crackdown.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra ahead of the launch of ECOWAS at 50, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that the ministry is working discreetly with international partners and Ghana’s diplomatic missions to ensure a humane and dignified process for the returnees.
“The number, as we have received from our foreign service officials, is that about 160 Ghanaians are on the deportation list, and the deportation exercise is going on,” Ablakwa said. “For us, on the grounds of humanitarian reasons and human rights, we have decided not to publicise information about them.”
U.S. Immigration Crackdown Intensifies
The development follows a surge in deportations and immigration raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration, which resumed deportation flights using military aircraft in some cases. Over 3,500 undocumented immigrants have reportedly been arrested since President Donald Trump’s re-inauguration on January 20.
The United States, with a population of approximately 341 million, is currently home to an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants, according to the Pew Research Center.
Ghana Prioritises Quiet Reintegration
Minister Ablakwa emphasized that the Ghanaian government is opting for a low-profile, humanitarian approach, avoiding media coverage and public exposure of deportees. He noted that upon arrival in Ghana, returnees are welcomed, supported, and reconnected with their families.
“We are also working with other partners quietly because it is important that we respect the dignity of our fellow compatriots and not expose them to media coverage,” he explained.
Long-Term Reintegration Support
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has also initiated plans to collaborate with other relevant agencies to facilitate long-term reintegration through counselling, skill development, and employment support.
Ablakwa reiterated that the government remains committed to the welfare of its citizens abroad and is prioritising diplomacy, protection of human rights, and respect for personal dignity during the deportation process.
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