A growing number of Ghanaian students pursuing higher education in the United States are facing an alarming wave of sudden visa revocations and unexpected deportation orders.
Reports from across the US indicate that these actions, disproportionately affecting students from Africa, are creating significant anxiety and uncertainty within international student communities.
This concerning trend is described as part of a “broader, hardline shift” under the second term of the Trump administration.
Policies previously applied to undocumented migrants are now being extended to student visa holders, specifically those on F-1 and J-1 visas, which were once seen as pathways to opportunity.
Many students from Ghana and Nigeria have received sudden messages from US immigration authorities stating, “Your visa has been revoked. You must leave the country within seven days”.
In numerous instances, visa cancellations have occurred without any advance notice. Some students have only become aware of their visa status when ICE officials appeared at their dormitories or approached them in public.
Alarming Precedent: A case involving a Turkish doctoral student detained in Massachusetts after her visa was revoked without prior communication has raised international concern. While US authorities alleged links to political expression, her lawyers maintain she was simply advocating for Palestinian human rights.
Disproportionate Impact on African Students: Reports suggest that African students are particularly affected, with some facing visa revocation after attending peaceful rallies or being involved in minor legal incidents like traffic violations.
Critically, students whose visas are revoked are rarely offered the opportunity to appeal. They are expected to leave the US within days or risk detention and deportation.
Over 100 African students, many with no criminal records, are currently challenging visa cancellations based on vague accusations or assumptions in ongoing legal cases.
Recommendations for Ghanaian Students:
Immigration professionals and advocacy groups are urging Ghanaian students in the US and those planning to travel to take extra precautions: maintain close contact with your school’s international student office, avoid any legal trouble, no matter how minor, exercise caution with public political expression, as even peaceful activism could attract scrutiny, seek legal help immediately if you receive any immigration notice and finally, report any threats or arrests to the Ghana Embassy in Washington D.C.
Calls for Action in Ghana:
Education advocates in Ghana are urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat to enhance support for Ghanaian students abroad.
There are also renewed calls for embassies to increase outreach and provide clearer emergency channels for students in high-risk areas.
