Trump’s Deportation Drive Sees Nigerians, Gambians, And Others Forced Out As Ghana Acts As Temporary Transit Hub

 

A new wave of deportations from the United States has begun, setting the stage for tensions between Washington and several African governments. The first set of Nigerians identified for forced removal under President Donald Trump’s immigration policy has left America, according to statements made by former Ghanaian president John Dramani Mahama.

Reports from Accra confirmed that a group of 14 deportees, including several Nigerians and one Gambian national, landed in Ghana before being assisted to reach their respective countries. Mahama disclosed that Ghana had served as a temporary reception point and later facilitated their onward return. Nigerian deportees were transported back home by bus while the Gambian citizen remained in Ghana awaiting further travel arrangements.

Speaking during a press conference late Wednesday, Mahama explained that the United States had formally approached Ghana to act as a reception center for deportees from across West Africa. Ghana agreed under the condition that those accepted would be nationals of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries, as such citizens can enter Ghana without visas.

The development highlights a larger and more controversial campaign by the Trump administration to accelerate deportations as part of a crackdown on immigration. The policy has sparked global attention as several countries, particularly across Africa and the Caribbean, are being pressed to accept deported individuals regardless of whether they had requested asylum or spent years in the United States.

Mahama described the evolving situation as one that has complicated Ghana’s relations with Washington. He noted that the deportations coincide with increased tariffs placed on Ghanaian exports as well as stricter visa requirements imposed on Ghanaians seeking to travel to the US. While he acknowledged that overall relations between the two countries remained intact, he was candid in calling the arrangement a tightening and difficult one.

The US has extended its deportation efforts beyond Ghana’s borders, reaching agreements or pressuring countries such as Rwanda, South Sudan, and Eswatini. In July, five individuals were deported to Eswatini, and eight others were flown to South Sudan. Rwanda received seven deportees in August following a formal agreement to accept up to 250 migrants.

Nigeria has previously been outspoken in opposing the policy. Officials in Abuja emphasized that Nigeria would not accept third-country nationals being deported from the United States under any circumstances. They argued that doing so would violate international norms and undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty. The country has consistently rejected American proposals that attempt to use African nations as destinations for migrants who have no direct links to those countries.

Rights organizations have raised similar concerns. They argue that many of the individuals being expelled are facing serious risks if returned to their home countries. For some, deportation means being sent back to nations they left decades earlier, often due to political instability, violence, or economic collapse. Critics warn that the US approach is not only punitive but also disregards human rights obligations under international law.

Mahama’s statement makes clear that Ghana has attempted to manage the situation by focusing only on its immediate neighbors. His emphasis that West African nationals do not require visas to enter Ghana was a way of underscoring that the country had not accepted deportees from outside its regional framework. Despite this, Ghana’s cooperation with Washington may still expose the government to criticism from domestic opposition and human rights activists who view the policy as exploitative.

The deportation of Nigerians through Ghana may create another friction point in already delicate Nigeria-US relations. Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and a critical regional power, making its stance especially significant. By resisting American pressure to accept third-country migrants, Nigeria has signaled that it will not serve as a dumping ground for migrants who are not its citizens.

Trump’s broader immigration policy has been framed by his administration as a deterrent measure, designed to reduce illegal entry into the US. The White House has pursued agreements with several nations, often tying cooperation to trade deals, military support, or development assistance. However, this strategy has not gone unchallenged, with governments across Africa, Latin America, and Asia weighing the political costs of being seen as complicit in Washington’s controversial approach.

Observers say Ghana’s role in the process highlights how smaller states can become enmeshed in global migration politics. While the country has historically been known for its openness and regional leadership within ECOWAS, being used as a transit point for deportees may alter its diplomatic image. Balancing humanitarian obligations, regional commitments, and international pressure is becoming increasingly complex.

The deportations also raise questions about the treatment of individuals in the United States prior to removal. Advocacy groups report that many detainees experience long periods of confinement in holding centers, often under difficult conditions, before being placed on flights back to Africa, Asia, or the Caribbean. Legal experts argue that deportations carried out without adequate review or consideration of asylum claims may amount to violations of due process.

What remains clear is that the Trump administration intends to continue ramping up deportations. By highlighting these actions publicly, the White House aims to showcase its commitment to strict immigration enforcement. However, each deportation flight reverberates beyond America’s borders, reshaping diplomatic relations and raising moral and legal questions for receiving countries.

For the deportees themselves, the consequences are deeply personal. Many face the prospect of returning to societies they no longer know, often without financial resources, family connections, or support systems. In countries like Nigeria, where economic challenges remain pressing, reintegration for returnees can be especially daunting. The Gambian deportee still in Ghana illustrates how logistical and bureaucratic hurdles can leave individuals stranded between two worlds, uncertain of their future.

The unfolding situation underscores the global ripple effects of US immigration policy. As Washington intensifies its deportation drive, governments across Africa must grapple with difficult decisions, balancing the demands of a powerful ally against the well-being of their own citizens and broader humanitarian obligations. The first set of Nigerians and other West Africans deported through Ghana may mark only the beginning of a more complex chapter in the relationship between the United States and the African continent.