Ghanaian Businesswoman Denied Entry Into the US After Fake Cheques Were Found in Her Bag
- The ordeal a Ghanaian woman suffered at the hands of US Customs, which led to her deportation, has generated reactions
- An immigration lawyer in the US shed light on the incident after the woman was found with fake cheques in her bag
- Ghanaians who took to the comment section of the video also shared varied opinions on the issue
- Akua Poku, a US-based immigration lawyer, offered insight on what persons facing the risk of being deported should do
The decision of a Ghanaian businesswoman to assist someone she knew led her into trouble after she was allegedly detained in the US and deported from the country.
Elisa Kumadey, an immigration lawyer based in the US who is currently working on the case, said in an interview that it all happened after the woman, who was travelling to the US for business, was given an envelope by her brother-in-law to be mailed to someone in the country upon arrival.
Source: Getty Images
Upon arrival at the airport, US Customs authorities questioned the contents of the envelope, leading to an inspection.
It was at that point that it was realised that the envelope contained fake cheques, a move which suggested that the woman had the intent to engage in an illegality.
“They brought the envelope at the airport. She just picked it and put it in her purse, and then she went through. She got to the US, and then they asked her a couple of questions: how much are you coming to spend? Do you have any money with you and all of that? And for some reason, she was red-flagged. They pulled her aside and decided to search her bags and found this envelope.”
The unnamed businesswoman detailed the source of the envelope, leading the brother-in-law to be contacted for questioning, only for him to deny knowledge of the allegations.
US immigration authorities, sensing foul play, detained the woman and subsequently pressed criminal charges against her, leading to her deportation.
Source: Getty Images
“So she was put in detention. She had criminal charges, and then she was sent back home,” lawyer Kumadey told the interviewer.
At the time of writing the report, the video had gained over 2,000 likes and 60 comments.
Watch the TikTok video below:
Understand your rights
Akua Poku, a US immigration lawyer, in a comment to YEN.com.gh, highlighted the importance of persons in the US knowing that they have rights which ought to be protected, especially on matters of deportation.
She also emphasised the need for such people to explore legal remedies available to them when they find themselves in circumstances that affect their stay in the US.
“Mass deportations are now a harsh reality. It is more important than ever for immigrants to understand their rights and take proactive steps to protect themselves. Many people assume they have no options, but in reality, legal remedies may still be available.”
Reactions to lady being deported from the US
Netizens who watched the video commended the lawyer for using lived experiences and other cases to enlighten people on important things to note when travelling abroad.
YEN.com.gh sampled some comments:
Kwekuposh stated:
“Same thing happened to me. Thank God I was a US citizen, so I got probation.”
Samuelebosackey indicated:
“Misrepresentation in immigration laws can mess up your day.”
Blessed Paddy added:
“Oh ok, I see. Lots of insights. So many lessons learnt... hmmm.”
Tina Toyo added:
“People need to be very careful.
Ghanaian couple in Sweden deported
In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported that a Ghanaian couple in Sweden had reportedly been deported.
The couple did not meet the legal requirements to work in the country and were instructed to return home.
The wife, who had secured a job, was told that her immigration status did not permit her to work in the country.
Source: YEN.com.gh
