11 Migrants Deported by U.S. to Ghana File Lawsuit Over Safety Concerns

Eleven West African migrants deported by the United States to Ghana have filed lawsuits alleging that they were returned home despite credible safety concerns, raising questions about U.S. deportation practices and Ghana’s handling of the cases.

Details of the Case

According to their lawyer, the deportees include individuals who had pending asylum claims or had previously expressed fear of persecution if returned. Despite this, they were put on a deportation flight and landed in Ghana earlier this month.

The migrants argue that their deportation violated both international human rights protections and U.S. asylum obligations, which prohibit returning individuals to countries where they face threats of torture or persecution.

Safety Concerns Raised

• Several of the deportees claim they were fleeing political persecution and ethnic conflict in neighboring countries before transiting through Ghana.
• Their lawyer stated that some of them had received direct threats to their lives and that deporting them to Ghana left them vulnerable.
• Human rights groups are calling for an investigation into whether U.S. immigration authorities ignored required screening procedures before removal.

Ghana’s Role and Response

The Ghanaian government has not issued a full statement but has confirmed receiving the deportees. Immigration officials say they are reviewing the matter and working with relevant agencies to determine the next steps.

Civil society organizations in Ghana argue that the country must ensure the basic rights and safety of the returnees, regardless of their immigration status in the U.S.

Wider Context

• The case comes amid rising criticism of U.S. deportation policies, particularly under recent executive orders that have accelerated removals.
• Ghana has frequently been a destination for U.S. deportation flights, as migrants from across West Africa often pass through the country.
• International watchdogs say this case highlights a gap between U.S. commitments under refugee law and its current enforcement practices.

What Happens Next

The lawsuits filed in Ghana seek legal protection for the returnees and call for the government to resist cooperating with deportations that place people at risk. U.S. and Ghanaian authorities are expected to face pressure from both courts and human rights groups in the coming weeks.

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Source: raylizaghana.com