A pregnant woman from Ghana, Annabella Gyasi, and her young son have been ordered to return to Africa after spending over a week in a windowless detention room at a Washington airport. Annabella Gyasi, aged 38, arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport on May 19, ahead of a medical appointment for her son who suffers from severely malformed hands, according to a petition submitted by the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia.
The mother and son were traveling with valid visas, but immigration officers detained them after Gyasi expressed fears of persecution in Ghana and reluctance to return. During her detention, Gyasi experienced pregnancy complications and was hospitalized twice due to vaginal bleeding and high blood pressure. Gyasi felt compelled to agree to leave the U.S. after several days in detention, according to her lawyers.
Mary Bauer, Executive Director of ACLU Virginia, stated, “While we’re relieved that Ms. Gyasi and her son will soon be free from this nightmare, no one should be subjected to the inhumane conditions they endured.” Gyasi repeatedly informed guards of hunger but was allegedly denied extra food, her lawyers claimed. The Department of Homeland Security refuted this assertion, stating that all individuals in detention have access to appropriate care, including medical evaluation by a doctor, medication, and food.
A Friday order by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema specified that “the welfare of the petitioners and the interests of justice are best served by allowing petitioners to return home immediately.” An earlier order from Brinkema cited immigration officials who invalidated Gyasi’s tourist visas, reasoning that her intention to seek asylum in the U.S. and not to return home rendered the visas invalid. Gyasi and her son planned to depart for Ghana on Friday evening.
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