US Adds 12 Ghanaians to ‘Worst of the Worst’ Deportation List as Nigeria Tops West Africa

US Updates ‘Worst of the Worst’ Deportation List, Adds 12 Ghanaians as Nigeria Tops West African Count

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has updated its controversial “Worst of the Worst” criminal aliens database, adding 12 Ghanaian nationals to the list and bringing the total number of Ghanaians featured to 44.

The latest update also puts the total number of individuals from West Africa featured in the database at 427, with Nigeria recording the highest number in the region.

Nigeria Tops West African List

According to the latest figures, Nigeria leads West Africa with 134 names, followed by Liberia with 111 and Ghana with 44.

The database covers nationals from several West African countries and contains photographs and information about the criminal convictions or offences associated with individuals listed for immigration enforcement.

The latest figures represent a significant increase from the previous update published earlier this year, when 374 West Africans were listed, including 124 Nigerians, 94 Liberians and 32 Ghanaians.

12 More Ghanaians Added

The number of Ghanaians on the database has increased from 32 to 44, meaning 12 additional Ghanaian nationals have been added in the latest update.

The earlier list included individuals associated with offences such as fraud, shoplifting, domestic violence, weapons-related offences, child cruelty and credit-card crimes.

The database is maintained as part of US immigration enforcement efforts targeting non-citizens with criminal convictions who are subject to removal proceedings.

What Is the “Worst of the Worst” List?

The database is an initiative of the US Department of Homeland Security and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

American authorities describe those featured as serious criminal offenders who have come under immigration enforcement.

However, being featured in the database should not automatically be interpreted to mean that every person listed is currently in detention or has not already been removed from the United States. Earlier reporting noted that the database can contain individuals at different stages of the immigration enforcement process.

Growing Attention in Ghana

The latest addition of 12 Ghanaians is expected to renew discussions in Ghana over the increasing number of Ghanaian nationals facing immigration enforcement in the United States.

The previous list attracted considerable attention after Ghanaian socialite Mona Faiz Montrage, popularly known as Hajia4Real, appeared among the names. She had already faced a US federal conviction connected to a romance-scam case.

The publication of names and photographs has also generated debate over the balance between immigration enforcement, criminal accountability and the privacy of individuals whose cases have already gone through the US justice system.

US Immigration Crackdown Continues

The updated database comes amid a broader push by the US administration to intensify immigration enforcement and prioritise the removal of non-citizens with criminal records.

For West African countries, the growing number of names on the database could mean increased attention on the eventual return and reintegration of nationals removed from the United States.

With 134 Nigerians, 111 Liberians and 44 Ghanaians now featured, Nigeria remains the most represented West African country on the latest list.