Accra, June. 21, GNA – The Unites States (US)
says it may be forced to implement visa restrictions on Ghana, in accordance
with US Law, if Ghana failed to comply with international obligations regarding
the issuance of travel documents to Ghanaians on deportation orders in the US.
A statement issued by the US Embassy in Accra
said, Ghana, as a signatory to the Convention on International Civil Aviation,
was required, under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
guidelines, and through its Embassy in Washington, D.C., and its Consulate
General in New York, to interview deportees on a regular basis and issue the
necessary travel documents to facilitate their departure on commercial flights.
“When the Government of Ghana fails to meet
its ICAO obligation regarding the regular issuance of travel documents, the
U.S. government is forced to employ charter flights for deportations. The
Government of Ghana has the power to reduce, or even end, the use of charter
flights by meeting its obligation to issue travel documents in a timely
manner,” it said.
According to the statement, the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in December 2016, identified Ghana as
being at risk of non-compliance on removals of those under deportation orders.
Since then, the U.S. government had repeatedly
engaged the Government of Ghana in both Washington, D.C., and Accra and has
urged the government to abide by its international obligations and issue the
necessary travel documents so that Ghanaians under deportation orders may
depart the United States on commercial flights.
It said the United States of America took its
legal and human rights obligations very seriously and in the course of
enforcing U.S. immigration laws, would strongly prefer that individuals under
deportation orders departed the United States via commercial air carriers, as
regular passengers.
It explained that as sovereign nations, both
the Governments of the United States and Ghana had obligations to their
citizens to uphold their laws, as well as obligations to the international
community to comply with international agreements. All nations also had the
right to enforce their immigration laws.
While the United States embraced its special
character as a nation of immigrants, and continued to welcome those who enter
the United States legally and respect U.S. laws, enforcing its immigration laws
was a responsibility it owed to the American people, just as Ghana enforced its
own laws.
“So far this year, Ghana has used its own
legal processes to deport 100 individuals of different nationalities who were
found to be in violation of the law.”
“We encourage Ghanaians to abide by legal
processes if they seek to immigrate to the United States. We commend the
Government of Ghana for taking steps to promote private sector growth that will
create employment opportunities for Ghanaians; foster even greater security;
and ensure a promising future for Ghana’s youth, thereby minimizing illegal
immigration to the United States,” the statement said.
GNA