We agree with (the White House) that it is acceptable to receive West Africans since it does not require a visa to travel here from our West African brother countries, says President John Mahama to reporters.
Among the deported who landed in Accra are Nigerians and Gambians who will return to their home countries, according to Mahama.
Carrying out mass deportations of migrants who are staying illegally in the USA was one of President Donald Trump's most prominent election promises during last year's election campaign. He has repeatedly accused undocumented immigrants of violent crimes and drug smuggling and promised to deport them.
In order to carry out the deportations, the Trump administration has sought cooperation with countries that can receive migrants whose home countries deny them. Hundreds of Venezuelans have, for example, been sent to Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador.
The deportations have been met with strong criticism and lawsuits from, among other things, human rights groups.
