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The deportation of Rabbiatu Kuyateh, a 58-year-old Sierra Leonean woman who had built a life in the United States over three decades, has raised serious questions about the “third-country” deportation tactics allegedly being used by U.S. immigration authorities.
Kuyateh, who had lived in Maryland for nearly 30 years, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during what was supposed to be a routine check-in in July 2025. Despite legal efforts to block her removal due to fears of persecution in her home country, she was flown to Ghana in November.
The case took a harrowing turn in Accra. Social media footage surfaced showing Kuyateh being dragged across a hotel floor by men in green and black uniforms. She was reportedly being forced into a van as Ghanaian authorities prepared to put her on a flight to Freetown.
The use of Ghana as a transit point has drawn sharp criticism from migrant advocates and human rights organizations. They allege that the U.S. administration is utilizing third-party nations to bypass international laws, specifically the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to countries where they face a high risk of torture or persecution.
The Sierra Leonean community, both at home and abroad, has reacted with shock to the news. Kuyateh’s case highlights the precarious situation of long-term residents in the U.S. who find themselves caught in shifting immigration policies.
While Kuyateh is now back on Sierra Leonean soil, her legal team continues to fight for justice, seeking to hold the relevant authorities accountable for what they describe as a violation of international humanitarian standards.
