Lawyers Move to Block Possible Deportation of Ken Ofori-Atta After ICE Detention

Deportation: Lawyers representing Ghana’s former Minister for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, are taking urgent legal steps to prevent his possible deportation to Ghana following his detention by officials of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly overstaying his visa.

Mr. Ofori-Atta was picked up by ICE officers on Tuesday, setting in motion immigration enforcement procedures that could result in his removal from the United States. The development has sparked legal intervention from his counsel, who insist that the situation is administrative in nature and is already being addressed through the appropriate legal channels.

Speaking in an interview with JoyNews, a member of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s legal team in Ghana, Frank Davies, confirmed that lawyers acting on his behalf in the United States have filed a petition seeking an extension of his stay.

According to him, the application is intended to regularize the former minister’s immigration status and allow him to continue medical treatment currently underway.

Mr. Davies explained that Mr. Ofori-Atta travelled to the United States for medical reasons and has remained there on the advice of his healthcare providers.

“He’s been there for a medical procedure, and he is still undergoing treatment in consultation with the medical team,” Mr. Davies said. “He has been advised to remain and continue with the repetitive procedures being administered.”

According to the lawyer, the former minister’s visa expired while he was still receiving treatment, necessitating the filing of an application to extend his stay under U.S. immigration law. He noted that failure to secure such approval automatically renders a person’s stay unlawful, regardless of the circumstances.

“As it is customary, if you would like to remain in the jurisdiction beyond the limit of your visa, you will have to apply,” Mr. Davies explained. “Otherwise, your stay becomes illegal, and you would have to be repatriated.”

U.S. immigration law requires foreign nationals to maintain valid status at all times while in the country. Individuals who overstay their visas without approval may be detained by immigration authorities and placed in removal proceedings. Legal experts note, however, that detention does not automatically translate into deportation, especially where a pending application or compelling humanitarian grounds exist.

Mr. Davies indicated that the legal team is optimistic about the outcome of the petition, citing the medical basis of Mr. Ofori-Atta’s continued stay and the fact that the appropriate legal process is now being followed.

While it remains unclear how quickly U.S. authorities will rule on the application, his lawyers say they are hopeful that the extension will be granted to allow him to complete his treatment before any further immigration decisions are taken.

Read: Ken Ofori Atta Detained by ICE in the US Amid Legal and Health Concerns

The ICE detention has drawn significant public attention in Ghana due to Mr. Ofori-Atta’s high-profile political career. He served as Minister for Finance under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and was one of the longest-serving occupants of the office in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

His tenure, however, was marked by intense public scrutiny and controversy, particularly during Ghana’s recent economic challenges. In the period following his exit from office, Mr. Ofori-Atta has also been named in ongoing investigations and charges initiated by Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), further elevating public interest in his whereabouts and legal status.

His legal team has consistently maintained that his presence in the United States since early 2025 has been solely for medical reasons and not an attempt to evade legal processes in Ghana. They have stressed that his stay abroad has been guided by medical advice and that the appropriate authorities are aware of his circumstances.

As the immigration proceedings unfold, attention will remain focused on the decision of U.S. authorities regarding the petition for extension and whether Mr. Ofori-Atta will be allowed to remain in the country until his treatment is completed.

For now, his lawyers say they are fully engaged with U.S. immigration officials and remain confident that the matter will be resolved in accordance with the law.

Source: myjoyonline

Lawyers Move to Block Possible Deportation of Ken Ofori-Atta After ICE Detention