US Lawyer: Ofori-Atta Could Stay Despite ICE Detention (Legal Team Fights for Release)
Jonelle Ocloo, a US immigration lawyer, says that Ken Ofori-Atta, the former finance minister, may be able to stay in the US even though Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has him in custody. He is being held because there are questions about his legal status, but his lawyers say he is fully cooperating with ICE while he waits for a decision on his petition for adjustment of status, which lets people stay in the US longer than their initial visa. “You say, based on everything else you read and hear and your own experience, that Ken Ofori-Atta could be one of the 0.6% who might actually be arrested and be allowed to stay in the US,” Ms. Ocloo said. She said that his lawyers could file a writ of habeas corpus to contest his detention and ask for his release on bond, which would show that he is not a flight risk. She added, “It seems that’s the case, because it’s the opposite, right?” He doesn’t want to leave the US. He wants to stay in the US. Conditions for release on parole could include things like electronic monitoring or curfews. Ms. Ocloo also said that Mr. Ofori-Atta is “a person of means” and that his legal team is in a good position to stop his deportation. She also said that the FBI’s involvement shows that the case is more than just a simple visa-overstay issue. His team is still looking for a way for him to stay in the US while his request for a change of status is being looked at.
