Deportation to Ghana After 24 Years, Despite a Steady Job

For nearly 24 years, Nancy Mensah had become an integral part of Borkum, a North Sea island off Germany's coast. She maintained a stable job at a rehabilitation clinic, paid her taxes and social security contributions, and provided care for a partner with a disability, firmly establishing herself in the community. However, on July 14th, her years of residence and contributions were of no consequence to the authorities.

The Leer district's immigration office had denied her request to extend her residence permit in February, citing a lack of legal justification. With her deadline for voluntary departure passed and an urgent appeal to the Oldenburg Administrative Court rejected, police arrived at her home the following day, July 13th, just after she returned from her shift at the clinic.

She was taken to the mainland and flown out of the country without the opportunity to say goodbye to her partner, employer, or friends. Currently, she resides with her sister in Kumasi, Ghana, without a bank card, income, or health insurance, relying on financial support sent from Germany. Legal experts and advocacy groups have criticized the deportation, with the Refugee Council of Lower Saxony deeming it unjustifiable, even if legally permissible.

They argue that Borkum had the jurisdiction to explore avenues for Mensah to remain rather than deport her. The local Greens party called the action a "fatal signal," while the Social Democrats demanded a review of residence laws to prioritize professional and social integration. Mensah's partner, who suffers from health issues and lives on a modest pension, now relies on family and friends to manage their daily lives without her income.

The outcome of her legal case remains uncertain, and her supporters are organizing a fundraiser to cover legal expenses and explore potential avenues for her return to Germany through family reunification.