Trump’s deportation push sends Texas pastor to African nation he’s never visited

Key Points:

• Nnamdi was arrested at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 2018 for attempting to enter the U.S. as a visitor with the intention to overstay, leading to his expedited removal under U.S. asylum law which requires physical presence to apply for asylum.
• The U.S. government defends third-country deportation agreements as a way to close immigration loopholes and offers deportees a choice between court claims or returning home with financial assistance, while critics argue these agreements lead to refoulement, the forced return to countries where individuals face persecution.
• Ghanaian authorities deny allegations of refoulement and mistreatment of deportees, stating deportees can stay in Ghana for 90 days and may apply for refugee status if returning home poses a risk, though reports and videos have surfaced showing forced returns and harsh treatment.
• Deportees like Rabbiatu Kuyateh, who had legal protection in the U.S., were sent to Ghana and then forcibly returned to their countries of origin, despite risks to their safety, highlighting concerns about the human rights implications of third-country deportations.
• Ghana’s cooperation with the U.S. on immigration issues has been linked to diplomatic incentives such as visa concessions, while deportees like Nnamdi remain hopeful for a reversal of their deportations and rely on community support to sustain their families.