In
a major decision by the United States, about 7,000 Ghanaians are set to
be deported from the country over immigration issues.
Some deportees from America
The United States ambassador to Ghana, Robert Jackson said about
7,000 Ghanaian immigrants in the country face deportation for
visa-related offences including staying illegally, over staying their
permits.
Jackson disclosed this during a meeting with Ghanaian media men, africanews.com reported.
“In fact about 7000 of them are currently at different stages of the deportation process. And we are not apologetic about that,” Jackson said.
The US planned move comes hours after the United Kingdom
blacklisted three serving legislators of Ghana’s Parliament over visa
fraud. The MPs had left their relatives to live in the UK illegally
after travelling with them to the country.
“The British High Commission considers the actions completely
unacceptable. In some cases these behaviours may arguably be criminal in
nature,” the British High Commission noted.
Last year, the United States deported 108 Ghanaian immigrants for
reasons including drug-related offences, staying illegally, over staying
their permits and other crimes. They were returned to the Kotoka
International Airport in November.
The deportees refused to disembark from the plane in protest of
alleged inhumane treatment including shackling before and during the
journey. It took the intervention of Ghanaian security and immigration
officials to convince them to disembark after over an hour.
U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to deport illegal immigrants
and immigrants with criminal records as part of his immigration policy,
the roll-out of which is being challenged in the court.
Despite former President Barack Obama’s push for immigration
reforms, a record 2 million deportations were executed during his
administration.
-NAN
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