Deconstructing Trump’s possible travel ban - Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng writes
A recent news report that the USA’s Trump administration has listed Ghana and 24 other African countries for possible travel ban sent some jitters across the continent, with many wondering exactly what was on the cards.
According to a report by The Washington Post newspaper, an internal State Department memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was circulated to U.S. diplomatic posts on Saturday, June 14, 2025, giving the listed countries 60 days to meet security and documentation standards or face entry restrictions.
Apparently, the memo highlights concerns such as unreliable civil documents, lack of cooperation with U.S. immigration enforcement, high visa overstay rates and instances of citizenship granted through monetary investment without residency requirements.
It also mentions vague references to “anti-Semitic and anti-American activity” by individuals from some of the nations on the list.
Immigration perspective, Ghana angle
Because of my background in immigration work back in the UK some time ago, I did take quite some interest in the story, especially when a Kumasi-based radio station reached out to me for an interview on my perspectives and what it all meant for Ghanaians in particular.
First, it is important to establish that the various "infractions" that attracted the attention of the US authorities do not specify which applies to which country.
It is, therefore, possible for a particular country to be ‘guilty’ of one or more of the infractions that seem to have drawn the ire of the Trump administration. In the case of Ghana, it is perhaps safe, for instance, to rule out ‘anti-Semitism (hostility to, or prejudice against Jewish people), or anti-American activity (whatever that means), whether within the general populace or in official circles.
Considering the limited information put out there, and against the background of my experience, I would hazard an educated guess that three issues may have drawn Ghana and perhaps several other African countries onto this list.
‘Unreliable civil documents’
Civil documents are official records that verify vital life events and personal information, often required for immigration or legal processes. Examples include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees and police certificates.
These documents are used to establish identity, family relationships and legal status. Education transcripts may also come into the mix. Essentially, therefore, the US authorities have a challenge with the reliability of such documents.
In my past experience, I had to deal with several rejections of such documents by the UK authorities in considering immigration applications with respect to such documents purportedly issued by officialdom in various countries, including Ghana, because they were deemed unreliable.
In all likelihood, this may also have been the case in the USA too. I have encountered several US ‘DV Lottery’ applicants who have come up against a last-minute brick wall because issues have been raised about alleged inconsistencies in their official documentation.
In the case of Ghana, I believe some progress is being made to contain the challenge of less-than-authentic official documents.
In 2024 for instance, a court jailed a Camerounian and a Togolese national for illegal acquisition of Ghana cards and birth certificate, whilst in 2019, JoyNews said that its investigations had revealed the identities of some officials of the births and deaths registry who were illegally issuing birth certificate to foreigners to help them acquire Ghanaian passport. I hope the necessary measures get expedited to improve the integrity of our documents issued.
Lack of cooperation with enforcement
Where upon arrest of an immigration offender, the said offender claims to be from a particular country but does not have in his or her possession proof of citizenship, such as a passport, the immigration authorities would usually reach out to the relevant diplomatic mission to conduct a ‘nationality test’ on the said person, who may be detained.
Where the mission is able to satisfy itself that indeed the offender is from that country, it shall issue a travel document for the person to enable the authorities to remove him or her to that country.
In a number of instances, the mission may inordinately delay in the issuance of such travel documents to facilitate removal, and in my immigration work in the UK, I was able to secure bail from detention of clients from various countries in such situations.
Undoubtedly, this must be very frustrating for the authorities and may have informed an inclusion of certain countries on the list.
I am not privy to Ghana’s record in the US on this specific issue so I am unable to say with certainty if it applies to us.
High overstay rate, addressing concerns
Many advanced countries with high inward immigration numbers tend to have high rate of overstayers and are in a constant battle to remove them, especially since it can be a highly contentious political issue that can make or unmake a government at the polls.
In November 2024, for instance, ghanaweb.com, citing US official sources, disclosed that in the case of US B1/B2 visas issued in 2023, Ghanaians had a 7.5 per cent default rate.
Nigerians had 7.14 per cent, Malians 5.27 per cent, Ivorians 7.48 per cent, Togolese 19 per cent and Burkinabes had 12.13 per cent.
In the same year, Ghanaians had a 21 per cent abuse rate for F, M and J categories (students and exchange visitors), according to the website.
The Trump administration appears determined to pursue its path of immigration crackdown, sending fear and panic among undocumented immigrants. Beyond this, would-be Ghanaian travellers to the country, even those with genuine intentions to return home after a trip there will also be anxiously looking over their shoulders.
I sincerely hope our authorities are able to address whatever issues may have got Ghana on this dreaded list, because its repercussions could be dire.
Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng.
E-mail: rodboat@yahoo.com
