Pregnant Ghanaian Woman, Disabled Son Detained At U.S. Airport For Over A Week

Anabella Gyasi, a pregnant Ghanaian woman, and her son were detained for more than a week at Washington Dulles International Airport in the United States after arriving from Ghana on May 19, 2026. The ACLU of Virginia alleges they have been held in "inhumane conditions."

Ms. Gyasi and her son, identified as G.O.O., were confined in a windowless holding room. They were detained by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after immigration officers questioned the purpose of their trip. Ms. Gyasi had legally travelled to the United States to seek medical evaluation and possible corrective surgery for her son, who was born with physical disabilities affecting the use of his hands. She had secured valid tourist visas for herself and her son, which expire in April 2028, as well as a medical appointment scheduled for May 30 at Akron Children's Hospital in Ohio. The ACLU accused CBP officials of illegally detaining Ms. Gyasi and exposing both mother and child to unsafe and degrading conditions. The petition alleged that Ms. Gyasi and her son were locked in a small room containing only a single bed, toilet and sink, without adequate food, hygiene or medical care. Ms. Gyasi suffered vaginal bleeding and episodes of lightheadedness during detention and was twice transported to a nearby hospital. Hospital staff confirmed her pregnancy and high blood pressure, and expressed concerns that she was not eating enough and was under severe stress. On May 23, Ms. Gyasi pleaded with officers to allow her to purchase food for herself and her son because the child was crying from hunger pains. Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney for ACLU-VA, Sophia Gregg, described the detention as dangerous and unlawful, saying, "Ms. Gyasi legally traveled to the U.S. to get necessary medical