Akua Aboagye: US Denies Entry to Famous Businesswoman, Immigration Lawyer Provides Insight, Video

Akua Aboagye: US Denies Entry to Famous Businesswoman, Immigration Lawyer Provides Insight, Video

  • Ghanaian US-based lawyer Akua Aboagye explained why a Nigerian hair vendor was sent back to her country from the US after attempting to sell products on a visitor visa
  • The woman was detained at the US airport after CBP discovered her business intentions through her Instagram
  • Aboagye stressed that a visitor visa (B1/B2) cannot be used for business purposes, with the L-1 visa required for such

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A Nigerian hair vendor was detained and later sent back to her country from the US after Customs and Border Protection discovered her business intentions through Instagram.

nigerian vendor, deportation, ghanaian lawyer, akua aboagye, visitor visa, L1-visa
Ghanaian lawyer Akua Aboagye discusses why a Nigerian hair vendor’s US trip ended in deportation. Photo credit: thegreencardlawyer (TikTok)
Source: TikTok

A video sighted by YEN.com.gh showed the Nigerian lady dejected as the reality sank in that the dream she had envisioned had just crumbled before her eyes.

Reports indicate that US authorities decided to deport the lady after learning she planned to set up a shop in the US to sell her hair products to Americans. She was using a B1/B2 visitor visa, which doesn't permit such activity.

Nigerian lady cries out over US deportation

A clip seen by YEN.com.gh showed the young lady in what seemed to be an aeroplane, which was apparent based on the background noise in the TikTok video.

Visibly heartbroken, the lady explained the circumstances that resulted in her being ejected from the US.

Visa Issues, Deportation, US Immigration, Akua Aboagye, Hair Vendor Business, Nigerian Immigration, B1/B2 Visa, L-1 Visa
Nigerian hair vendor deported from the US after visa mistake – Ghanaian lawyer explains the legal implications. Photo credit: Getty Images
Source: TikTok
"I am not one to come on social media to cry or talk about all my hurts as a business person, but this one hurts so bad."
"When I landed, I was detained for like 24 hours, and when I was questioned, I told them that I was only going to exhibit, but I did not know any better because the US has all your data," the tearful lady said in part.

Akua Aboagye clarifies new US visa rules

YEN.com.gh also reached out to Akua Aboagye for her expert views on numerous visa rules introduced by the US.

Sharing insights on one such rule, where foreign students are now required to make their social media accounts public, the immigration lawyer clarified that applicants without social media accounts will not have their applications automatically rejected.

"While this would not automatically trigger a denial, it could lead to further administrative review, additional questioning, or delays. In some cases, this could result in denial if officers determine the applicant has not been sufficiently transparent or responsive. If a consular officer cannot review an applicant’s social media because the accounts are nonexistent, they may turn to other sources to conduct background checks or assess credibility," she told YEN.com.gh.

Watch the video below.

Lawyer comments on Nigerian lady's US deportation

Ghanaian US-based immigration lawyer Akua Aboagye explained in detail why the Nigerian hair vendor was denied entry to the US and deported to her home country.

Akua Aboagye, stated that the lady should have been forthright with what she intended to do in the US, observing that persons with a visitor visa are not allowed to do business in America.

She also explained in detail how the visas work and what to expect during an inspection from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.

In the caption of her video, she said:

"Individuals entering the United States for business, tourism, or medical treatment typically need a visitor visa. The most common types are the B1 and B2 visas, and in some cases, a combination of both."
"Understanding how these visas work and what to expect during inspection at a US port of entry is essential for a smooth arrival."

Watch the video of Akua Aboagye's comments below:

US Embassy, Ghana warns visa holders

YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that the US Embassy in Ghana warned visa holders that violating US laws could result in visa revocations and deportations.

The warning is considered a preemptive caution to travellers who may underestimate the strict enforcement of US immigration laws.

The embassy previously warned that there would be consequences for people who flout the laws in an attempt to travel to the US.

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Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Oluwadara Adebisi avatar

Oluwadara Adebisi (Human Interest Editor) Adebisi Oluwadara is a Human Interest Editor who joined YEN.com.gh in May 2025. He has over six years of experience in press release writing and journalism. He graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Food Science and Technology. However, he was mentored in journalism and became a certified journalist after completing the Google News Initiative courses in Advanced Digital Reporting and Fighting Misinformation.