Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem Sai has clarified the immigration issue involving former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, explaining that his U.S. visa was officially cancelled last year instead of simply expiring.
Speaking on TV3’s KeyPoints on Saturday, January 10, Srem Sai refuted claims that the visa had simply expired. He clarified that U.S. authorities revoked the visa in June 2025, a move that subsequently brought Ofori-Atta’s stay in the country under scrutiny.
According to him, immigration enforcement agencies typically step in only when a person’s legal status becomes questionable. He said available information shows that after the revocation, Ofori-Atta remained in the United States without an active visa, which led to his encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this week.
Ofori-Atta was taken into custody by ICE on Tuesday, January 6. His legal representatives subsequently confirmed that the matter is tied to his immigration status rather than any criminal allegation.
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In a statement issued on January 7, 2026, the law firm Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline, and Partners (MPOBB) said their client has a pending application to adjust his status. The firm noted that under U.S. law, such an application can allow a person to stay lawfully beyond the original period of a visa while the request is being processed.
The lawyers added that Ofori-Atta is cooperating fully with U.S. immigration officials and that discussions with ICE are ongoing to resolve the issue.
They also urged the public to remain calm, describing the former finance minister as compliant with all legal requirements as the process continues.
