Ghanaians In US Face New Immigration Rules Under Trump, Told to Carry Proof of Legal Status Daily
- Ghanaians currently in the US will have to contend with a new immigration rule introduced by the Trump administration
- Foreign nationals will have to register with the US authorities and carry their Green Card and visa documents at all times
- According to the order, all foreigners in the US for longer than 30 days are to be registered under the Alien Registration Act
Ghanaians living in the US must comply with a new immigration rule introduced by the Trump administration.
The new rules require all foreign nationals to register with authorities and always carry proof of their legal status.
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Everyone considered a foreign national must have proof of their legal status, such as a Green Card, visa documents, or the I-94 entry record, with them at all times.
This rule will apply to students, workers, or visitors, and took effect on April 11, 2025.
US President Donald Trump notably promised to crack down on immigration during his presidential campaign.
All foreign nationals present in the US longer than 30 days were to have registered under the Alien Registration Act by April 11, according to a notice from the US Department of Homeland Security.
Failure to comply with the rule could lead to fines, misdemeanour charges, and possible jail time.
An immigration lawyer in the US, Akua Aboagye, noted to YEN.com.gh that most Ghanaians who entered legally on visitor or student visas have already completed biometrics during the visa process.
"That counted as registration. In reality, most Ghanaians are already registered because they usually come into the US legally."
Aboagye added that even if they’ve overstayed their visa, they are still considered registered and do not need to register again.
US immigration regulations for children
Foreign children under 14 must also be registered by their parents or guardians.
Once they turn 14, they would be required to re-register and undergo biometric processing within 30 days.
Those who have previously registered are being advised to update their information using the new online system.
The law now allows even local law enforcement, such as traffic police, to ask foreign nationals for proof of registration or legal status.
Who must register for the US?
According to the Alien Registration Act, all foreigners 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted if required when applying for a visa to enter the US and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must register.
They must apply before the expiration of those 30 days.
The parents or legal guardians of aliens less than 14 years of age must also register.
Parents or legal guardians must apply for the registration of aliens less than 14 years of age who have not been registered and remain in the US for 30 days or longer, before the expiration of those 30 days.
Additionally, any foreigner, whether previously registered or not, who turns 14 years old in the US, within 30 days after their 14th birthday, must also register.
There is special notice for American Indians born in Canada who entered the United States under section 289 of the INA, and members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas who entered the US under the Texas Band of Kickapoo Act. These categories are not required to register.
Detained Ghanaians set for US deportation
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced to Parliament back in March that 50 out of 150 Ghanaians currently in detention in the US have received final deportation orders.
Source: Facebook
These Ghanaians are expected to return to their homeland by mid-year. The remaining 100 cases are either under appeal or have been dismissed.
At that time, three Ghanaians had already been processed for deportation. They were scheduled to leave the US on commercial flights between March 19 and April 1, 2025.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the US deported just over 12,300 people from March 1 to March 28 and around 11,000 people in February, according to NBC.
However, the US government claimed deportations had already exceeded 117,000 in just the first 70 days of the Trump administration.
Ghanaians abandon US Church of Pentecost branch
YEN.com.gh reported in February that a Church of Pentecost branch in the US was abandoned by some of its Ghanaian members because of deportation fears.
The district pastor of the Church of Pentecost USA Inc., North Columbus, Samuel Koomson, said that around half of his congregation was now staying home.
Aside from religious activities, the fear of deportation has also spread to educational spaces, with many concerned by the ongoing crackdown on immigrants.
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Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Delali Adogla-Bessa (Head of Current Affairs and Politics Desk) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.
Bruce Douglas (Senior Copyeditor) Bruce Douglas has 13 years of experience in community media, including coverage of sports, human interest, crime and politics.
