11 African nationals deported from the US sent to Ghana despite security concerns

Ghana News : A Ghanaian court was rocked on Tuesday when a lawyer reported that 11 West African citizens deported by the United States were repatriated over the weekend, despite international security concerns. The case involves 14 West African immigrants deported from the United States to Ghana under controversial circumstances.

Although the Ghanaian government had previously stated that all deported citizens had been repatriated, the deportees and their lawyers refuted this claim, telling the Associated Press that 11 of them were still being held in a Ghanaian military camp.

Eleven of these deportees had recently filed a petition against the Ghanaian government, seeking their release. Eight of them claimed in court that they could face “torture, persecution, or inhumane treatment” if they were forcibly repatriated. They sought protection under international human rights laws.

During a virtual hearing, their lawyer, Oliver Barker-Vormavo, informed the court, “The 11 people whose human rights we filed this petition to protect were deported over the weekend. This case is now irrelevant.” He further stated that the threats they were trying to protect have now become reality.

This case relates to a US immigration policy implemented during the Trump administration. This policy accelerated the deportation of immigrants living illegally in the US. This policy has been heavily criticized by international human rights organizations and experts, who stated that these deportations often neglect the safety of those who arrived in the US fearing persecution or life threats.

It has also emerged that the US is now attempting to deport migrants to third countries, which make it impossible to return them to their countries of origin. Countries like Ghana, Rwanda, Eswatini, and South Sudan have signed agreements with the United States to temporarily accept deportees from the United States.

This incident has once again reignited the global debate on immigration policies and human rights. Experts say such deportations, especially when carried out despite clear security concerns, may violate international law and have serious human rights consequences.