Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has appeared before a U.S. immigration court in Virginia as proceedings continue over his legal status in the United States.
Mr. Ofori-Atta appeared at the Annandale Immigration Court on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, following his detention by officers of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 8. U.S. authorities contend that he no longer has lawful permission to remain in the country after his visitor visa was cancelled.
The session, presided over by Immigration Judge David Gardey, focused on a bond reconsideration and an initial review of the case. Court documents indicate that the former minister is currently being held at the Caroline Detention Center pending the outcome of the proceedings.
He was represented by a legal team that included Christopher Chaisson of the law firm Whiteford Taylor & Preston, as well as his long-standing immigration lawyer, Kwao Amagashi.
During the hearing, Mr. Ofori-Atta’s attorneys applied for both the bond hearing and the master calendar hearing to be conducted behind closed doors, citing the sensitive nature of matters expected to be discussed. Judge Gardey granted the request and directed non-parties attending virtually via Webex to exit the session before proceedings continued.
The court’s eventual decision will determine whether Mr. Ofori-Atta is permitted to remain in the United States or is subject to removal. The outcome could also have broader implications for related legal issues involving him in Ghana.
