WASHINGTON — A federal judge has ruled that she is unable to halt the deportation of four men from Ghana to their home countries, where they reportedly face the risk of torture and persecution. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan’s decision represents a significant setback for advocates who argue that the U.S. government is evading international law regarding the treatment of migrants.
Judge Chutkan expressed alarm over the government’s actions, noting concerns about the procedures involved in these deportations. While she recognized that the administration seems to be bypassing the U.N. Convention Against Torture by sending West African migrants to Ghana, she stated that legal constraints prevented her from intervening in the case.
Her ruling clears the way for a total of 14 West Africans, which includes the four men, to be sent back to their countries, with Nigeria and Gambia being the anticipated destinations. This follows prior findings by U.S. immigration judges who indicated that these individuals had credible fears of facing harm if returned home.
This situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. immigration policy, particularly during the Trump administration, which has frequently sought to sidestep legal restrictions on deportations. Judge Chutkan contrasted this case with that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, emphasizing that in the current situation, the government is legally permitted to transfer the migrants to Ghana.
Lee Gelernt, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union involved in the lawsuit, expressed disappointment in the ruling. He criticized the administration’s need for judicial enforcement to adhere to laws that prohibit transferring individuals to nations where they might be at risk of torture.
Recent statements from Ghanaian officials indicated that all 14 migrants had already been deported, a claim that contradicted assertions from the legal representatives of the men, who said they remained in Ghana. The situation further complicates matters, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not respond to inquiries regarding the case.
The U.S. government’s efforts to manage deportations have increasingly involved sending individuals to third countries where agreements have been established. Ghana joins the list of nations, including Eswatini, Rwanda, and South Sudan, that have accepted deported migrants from the U.S., often raising human rights concerns.
In response to criticisms, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa defended the decision, asserting that the country did not receive any financial incentives for accepting deportees. He mentioned a commitment to only accept West African migrants to alleviate their suffering.
The Nigerian government has expressed confusion over its nationals being sent to Ghana, stating that it had not been informed in advance. Officials clarified that although Nigeria has received deportees directly from the U.S., they rejected the deportation of individuals from other nations into Nigeria.
This ongoing legal and diplomatic clash underscores the complexities of immigration enforcement and the humanitarian implications for affected individuals.
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