U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed that former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta overstayed his authorized period of stay in the United States after his visa expired. As a result, U.S. immigration authorities say he is considered to be in the country without lawful status under American immigration law.
According to ICE, Ofori-Atta entered the United States legally but failed to leave when his visa validity ended. This development led to his identification and subsequent action by immigration officials. ICE explained that individuals who remain in the country beyond the permitted duration of their visas are classified as undocumented under U.S. law, a category it referred to using the term “illegal alien.”
The matter comes amid separate legal issues involving Ghanaian authorities, who are reportedly seeking his return to Ghana in connection with ongoing investigations. However, U.S. immigration proceedings are expected to take precedence before any extradition considerations.
Mr. Ofori-Atta was taken into ICE custody and has since been served with immigration documents requiring him to appear before an immigration judge. The process will determine whether he will be removed from the United States or granted any form of relief under immigration regulations.
