The first group of Nigerians deported under President Donald Trump’s immigration policy has left the United States.
Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama disclosed this development to reporters late Wednesday, confirming that 14 deportees, including several Nigerians and one Gambian, had arrived in Ghana before being sent to their respective home countries.
According to Mahama, the Nigerians were transported to Nigeria by bus, while the Gambian national was still being assisted to return home.
“We were approached by the United States to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the country, and we agreed that West African nationals could be received,” Mahama explained. “All our fellow West African nationals don’t need visas to come to Ghana.” Daily Trust reported.
He added that while U.S.–Ghana relations were facing strain due to tariff hikes on Ghanaian goods and visa restrictions, cooperation between both governments remained intact.
The deportations are part of the Trump administration’s wider crackdown on immigration, which includes persuading African and other governments to accept deportees in what has been described as a “third-country transfer” arrangement.
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Human rights groups have criticised the approach, arguing that it violates the rights of affected migrants. Despite the criticisms, the U.S. has carried out several deportations to African nations in recent months.
In July, five migrants were deported to Eswatini and eight to South Sudan. Rwanda also received seven deportees in August after reaching an agreement with Washington that could see up to 250 individuals transferred.
Nigeria has previously opposed such arrangements, insisting it would not bow to U.S. pressure to accept third-country migrants. However, with this latest round of deportations, Nigerians have now joined the growing list of those affected by Trump’s hardline stance on immigration.
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