A delegation from the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C., led by Ambassador Victor Emmanuel Smith, has paid a working visit to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Pennsylvania, where several Ghanaian nationals are being held.

According to the embassy, the facility houses 11 Ghanaian detainees, comprising ten men and one woman. The length of detention among the group ranges from about two weeks to as long as 10 months.

During the visit, Ambassador Smith and his team were briefed by facility officials on the status of the detainees. The delegation also met with the Ghanaians to assess their treatment, health conditions and welfare, and to hear their concerns directly.

Addressing the detainees, Ambassador Smith acknowledged the difficulty of spending the Christmas season in detention and away from family. He noted that the detainees appeared to be in stable physical condition but recognised the emotional strain of their situation, particularly for those facing possible deportation and reintegration into life in Ghana.

“The government understands the human pain involved, and we approach this situation with compassion and dignity,” the ambassador said, adding that the circumstances of detention do not define an individual’s future.

He encouraged the detainees to remain hopeful as immigration processes continue, noting that Ghana remains open to citizens who return and seek to rebuild their lives.

"While this chapter is challenging, it does not define anyone’s future. With time and the right processes, opportunities can always open again. And back home in Ghana, meaningful opportunities are being created under the Mahama administration’s reset agenda to help returning citizens rebuild their lives with dignity.

There is no shame in starting again. As we reflect this season, we are reminded to remain thankful and hopeful, even in adversity. Ghana remains home, and the future remains open", he said.

The embassy said the visit forms part of ongoing efforts by Ambassador Smith to engage with Ghanaian nationals across the United States, including those in detention, as part of consular support responsibilities.