U.S. ICE confirms Ken Ofori-Atta overstayed visa, describes fmr finance minister as “illegal alien”

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit has described Ghana’s former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta as an “illegal alien” who has overstayed his permitted admission.

ICE adds that the former Finance Minister’s conduct amounts to a violation of US immigration law which could result in deportation.

An ICE Spokesperson provided this clarification in a correspondence with Tv3’s Joseph Ackah-Blay.

The journalist contacted the Immigration office with the aim of understanding the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Mr. Ofori-Atta by posing the following questions:

“1.Are you currently holding a Ghanaian national by name Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta

2. What is the basis for the detention if he is being held?

3. Has there been any judicial process since his detention?

4. Are you aware there is a pending request for his extradition to Ghana by the Government of Ghana?

5. If you are aware of (4), did it influence the decision to detain him and do you have any intention to extradite him to Ghana?

6.Are there any publicly available documents relating to this detention you are able to share with me?”

ICE Response

ICE in response provided information generally regarding the detention.

Status of Visa

There have been multiple reports on why Ofori-Atta was arrested. While some publications have suggested his visa was revoked, others have linked his arrest to Ghana’s extradition request.

ICE clarification

ICE says Mr. Ofori Atta entered the United States on May 28, 2025 on a visitor’s visa. This visa, ICE says had an expiration date of November 27, 2025.

“Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta is an illegal alien from Ghana that is facing corruption and corruption related charges in his home country. He entered the United States on May 28, 2025, on a visitor’s visa with an expiration date of Nov. 27, 2025. Ofori-Atta overstayed his permitted admission.”

The Immigration unit adds Mr. Ofori-Atta will remain in custody as he is taken through due process of law.

“He has been issued a notice to appear and will remain in ICE custody. He will be given due process before a Justice Department immigration judge.”

ICE concluded by stating that the Trump administration expects aliens to respect laws or face consequences.

“The Trump administration has been abundantly clear: aliens must respect our laws or face the consequences. Overstaying a visa is an immigration law violation that can result in deportation.”

Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta has been slapped with multiple corruption related charges regarding his tenure as Finance Minister. He is yet to appear in court causing Ghanaian officials to formally request his extradition from the USA.

Source:Fiilafmonline/3News