31.05.2026 00:10
The human rights scandal at Washington Dulles Airport in the US has topped the global agenda. Pregnant Ghanaian citizen Annabella Gyasi and her 4-year-old son, who needed treatment for their hands, were detained at the airport for over a week despite having valid tourist visas. The American Civil Liberties Union stated that the young child was made to sleep on the floor and the pregnant woman was hospitalized twice, describing the situation as "inhumane."
Washington Dulles Airport in the USA is shaken by a detention incident described as a "human rights scandal." A pregnant mother, a Ghanaian citizen, and her 4-year-old son, who needed treatment for his hands, were detained for over a week in a small room at the airport awaiting deportation, despite having valid visas. The incident, brought to court with the intervention of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and lawyers, caused a major uproar in the country.
SHE CAME TO TREAT HER SON, EXPERIENCED HORROR
According to information reported by ABC News and the Associated Press; Ghanaian citizen Annabella Gyasi legally entered the country with a tourist visa to take her 4-year-old son to the USA for medical treatment. It was learned that the young child had serious physical congenital conditions in his hands and had pre-scheduled official doctor appointments at a world-renowned children's hospital in Ohio.
DETAINED AT THE AIRPORT ON ALLEGATION OF "ASYLUM" CLAIM
During passport control at the airport, the pregnant woman allegedly told US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers during questioning that she did not want to return to her country and used statements similar to an asylum request. Citing this allegation, border officers detained the mother and young child, locking them in a small jail-like room at the airport.
ACLU: CHILD SLEPT ON THE FLOOR, PREGNANT WOMAN HOSPITALIZED
After the incident came to light, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) intervened, revealing the drama inside. In a statement by the ACLU, it was stated that the mother and son were kept for days in a narrow, windowless room, and the 4-year-old sick child was forced to sleep on a concrete floor. It was also announced that the pregnant woman, under severe conditions, was hospitalized twice with emergency codes due to stress and health problems during the detention. The lawyers of the victim family described this practice at the airport as "inhumane" in a single word.
MINISTRY DENIED ALLEGATIONS, COURT SAID "ENOUGH"
The US Department of Homeland Security, forced to defend itself following rising backlash, denied the serious accusations. Ministry officials claimed that the pregnant mother and sick child were provided with regular meals, health services, and all necessary basic care during the detention.
As the scandal was taken to court, the federal judge ruled that detaining a pregnant woman and a sick child for another night under airport conditions was legally and humanely unacceptable. After the court process concluded, it was announced that the mother and son, whose treatment dreams were left unfulfilled, would be sent back to Ghana.