The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has updated its so-called "Worst of the Worst" deportation list, adding 12 Ghanaians to the roster and confirming Nigeria as the West African nation with the highest number of citizens targeted for removal, according to reports published on September 1, 2026.

The Updated List

The DHS update is the latest in a series of expansions to the US deportation program, which has intensified under the Trump administration's sweeping immigration enforcement agenda. The list specifically targets individuals convicted of serious crimes, but human rights advocates have raised concerns about the breadth of the criteria and the conditions under which deportees are being processed.

Nigeria continues to top the West African count, with 110 Nigerian citizens previously identified on deportation lists as of June 2026. The addition of 12 Ghanaians marks a significant increase for the country, which has already been embroiled in controversy over its agreement to accept third-country deportees from the United States.

Ghana's Diplomatic Dilemma

Ghana's government has faced mounting domestic and international criticism over its cooperation with US deportation efforts. In June 2026, human rights groups filed a case against Ghana at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, arguing that the country's acceptance of third-country deportees violates international refugee protection norms and exposes returnees to rights violations.

The situation has been further complicated by the fact that Ghana itself has been affected by US visa restrictions. In January 2026, reporting revealed that 27 African nations were included in a US visa freeze — including countries that had cooperated with Washington's deportation agenda, raising questions about the reciprocity of these arrangements.

Regional Impact

The updated deportation list has sent ripples across West Africa, where several nations are grappling with the dual challenge of responding to US immigration pressure while protecting the rights of their citizens abroad. The ECOWAS court case against Ghana represents a potential turning point, as regional bodies begin to push back against what critics describe as coercive deportation practices.

Nigeria, which has the largest population in West Africa and deep diaspora ties to the United States, has faced its own diplomatic challenges over the deportations. Nigerian officials have reportedly sought assurances regarding the treatment of deportees and the legal processes used to identify them.

Human Rights Concerns

Human rights organizations have documented cases of deportees being processed without adequate legal representation, and have raised concerns about conditions in US immigration detention facilities. The expansion of the "Worst of the Worst" list has intensified calls for greater transparency in how individuals are identified and removed.

The Ghanaian government has not yet issued an official response to the latest DHS update. However, pressure from civil society organizations and opposition politicians is expected to increase in the coming days, particularly given the ECOWAS court proceedings already underway.

Context

The US deportation program has expanded significantly since 2025, with the Trump administration broadening the categories of individuals targeted for removal and negotiating agreements with multiple African nations to accept both their own citizens and third-country nationals. The program has drawn criticism from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and numerous human rights organizations.