Former Ghana Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to appear before a United States immigration court today, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, following his recent detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over alleged immigration violations.
The hearing is scheduled to take place at the Annandale Immigration Court in Virginia. Mr Ofori-Atta is expected to participate virtually from detention as the court considers issues relating to his immigration status in the United States.
The development follows his detention by ICE earlier this month amid concerns that he may have overstayed the validity period of his visitor visa, which would have resulted in the loss of his lawful status to remain in the country.
Mr Ofori-Atta has been held at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia since January 6, 2026. His detention sparked public and political interest both in Ghana and abroad, given his former role as finance minister and the broader legal matters surrounding him at home.
The situation was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, and signed by Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo Esq., who is associated with the former minister’s legal team. According to the statement, Mr Ofori-Atta was detained on Tuesday, after which his legal representatives in the United States immediately engaged ICE officials to clarify and address his immigration status.
“The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) yesterday detained the former Minister for Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, regarding the status of his current stay in the United States,” the statement said.
Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo further explained that Mr Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status. Under U.S. immigration law, such a petition allows an individual to remain in the country legally beyond the expiration of a visa while an application for a change or regularisation of status is under review.
“Mr Ofori-Atta has a pending petition for adjustment of status, which authorises a person to remain in the United States legally beyond the period of validity of their visa. Under US law, a change of status by this method is common,” the statement noted.
The legal team emphasised that the former finance minister is cooperating fully with U.S. immigration authorities and that all necessary documentation has been submitted in support of his case.
“His US legal team is in contact with ICE and expects the matter to be resolved expeditiously,” Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo added.
Today’s court appearance is expected to determine the immediate next steps regarding Mr Ofori-Atta’s immigration status, including whether he will be released from detention or required to comply with additional legal processes.
The hearing also comes at a time when Mr Ofori-Atta remains the subject of significant legal and political scrutiny in Ghana, adding further public attention to the outcome of the U.S. immigration proceedings.
