ICE Chicago Removes Sierra Leonean Convicted of Visa Fraud
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the removal of Prince Solomon Knox, a 62-year-old Sierra Leonean national, which took place on March 1st. Knox was arrested by ICE in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 4th, following previous convictions for visa fraud and domestic assault. He had also lied in his U.S. visa residency application about his past affiliations with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). Knox has been deported back to Freetown, Sierra Leone.
March 5, 2025 | St. Louis, MO | Enforcement and Removal | US Immigration and Customs EnforcementU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the removal of Prince Solomon Knox, a 62-year-old Sierra Leonean national, which took place on March 1st. Knox was arrested by ICE in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 4th, following previous convictions for visa fraud and domestic assault. He had also lied in his U.S. visa residency application about his past affiliations with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). Knox has been deported back to Freetown, Sierra Leone.
March 5, 2025 * St. Louis, MO * Enforcement and Removal
ICE Chicago removes Sierra Leonean convicted of visa fraud
The man was associated with Revolutionary United Front in Western Africa
ST. LOUIS – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement completed the removal of Prince Solomon Knox, 62, a Sierra Leonean national, to his home country March 1. Knox was arrested by ICE in St. Louis Feb. 4; he has previous convictions for visa fraud and domestic assault after lying about his prior affiliation with armed terrorist groups.
Enforcement and Removal
ICE Chicago removes Sierra Leonean convicted of visa fraud
Knox entered the U.S. at Chicago O’Hare International Airport April 14, 2004, and came to the attention of ICE in 2006 through an investigation involving allegations of fraud by ineligible combatants or imposter refugees to participate in the refugee resettlement program. The investigation revealed witnesses who provided testimony about involvement with multiple combatant groups in Western Africa, including the Revolutionary United Front, a group that made extensive use of child soldiers while committing acts such as amputating the hands, arms, and legs of tens of thousands of Sierra Leoneans using machetes.
“Foreign nationals, from any country, cannot be allowed to abuse the visa system and migrate to the U.S. fraudulently,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Chicago Field Office Director Sam Olson. “This is an example of someone not only attempting to escape responsibility in their home country but also depriving those in the global community of the opportunity to seek desperately needed relief.”
The investigation resulted in a federal grand jury indicting Knox on two counts of visa fraud and two counts of false statements, and ICE arrested him Dec. 21, 2006. Knox was convicted June 20, 2007, by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and sentenced to twelve months incarceration.
An immigration judge ordered Knox removed June 6, 2008, while in custody, and he was later placed under an order of supervision pending removal.
Updated: 03/05/2025
RELATED PUBLIC RECORDS
Case Details: Full title: PRINCE SOLOMON KNOX, A# xxx-xx1-508, Petitioner, v. DAMON ACUFF | Court: UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS | Date published: Oct 5, 2020
Decision Date 02 September 2008 | Docket Number No. 07-2552.,07-2552 | Citation 540 F.3d 708 | Parties UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Prince S. KNOX, Defendant-Appellant | Court U.S. Court of Appeals — Seventh Circuit
Foreign Nationals Spotted Jumping Out Of A Moving Bus After Allegedly Being Deported
South Africa has historically been a popular destination for African immigrants seeking better economic opportunities and a safer environment. Among these migrants, Nigerians constitute a significant proportion. However, in recent years, the South African government has faced pressure to address immigration concerns and curb illegal immigration, leading to more stringent deportation measures.
Heist.money | OperaNews
Extreme measures to avoid being repatriated to their homeland
Heist.money | Opera
The fear exhibited by these Nigerian immigrants is rooted in the harsh living conditions and limited opportunities that they perceive in their home country.
A distressing incident has come to light in South Africa, where Nigerian immigrants facing deportation resort to extreme measures to avoid being repatriated to their homeland. Reports suggest that some Nigerians have resorted to jumping out of moving buses while being transported to the airport for deportation. This desperate act reflects the immense fear and hardship these individuals associated with returning to Nigeria, a country struggling with various challenges. The incident has sparked concern and highlights the complexities surrounding migration and asylum-seeking in both South Africa and Nigeria.
Extreme measures to avoid being repatriated to their homeland
South Africa has historically been a popular destination for African immigrants seeking better economic opportunities and a safer environment. Among these migrants, Nigerians constitute a significant proportion. However, in recent years, the South African government has faced pressure to address immigration concerns and curb illegal immigration, leading to more stringent deportation measures.
The fear exhibited by these Nigerian immigrants is rooted in the harsh living conditions and limited opportunities that they perceive in their home country. Nigeria has grappled with political instability, widespread corruption, economic challenges, and security issues for many years. The lack of adequate infrastructure, high unemployment rates, and poverty further exacerbate the difficulties faced by its citizens.
The incident of Nigerian immigrants jumping out of a moving bus in South Africa highlights the complexities of migration and asylum-seeking.
For many Nigerians who have sought refuge in South Africa, the prospect of returning to their homeland means encountering these hardships once again. The fear of facing persecution, economic hardship, or even danger from criminal elements upon their return has driven some to take desperate measures to avoid deportation.
The incident also brings to light potential challenges within the asylum-seeking process in South Africa. Asylum seekers are individuals fleeing persecution or life-threatening situations in their home countries, and they have the right to seek protection by international law. However, the asylum process can be complex, often requiring individuals to provide substantial evidence of their claims, which may be difficult for some to obtain. Delays in processing applications can leave many uncertain of their fate.
Furthermore, it is essential to ensure that the asylum process is fair and transparent, free from prejudice or discrimination. Mistreatment or abuses faced by some asylum seekers may deter others from seeking legitimate protection.
To tackle the issue effectively, South Africa and Nigeria must work collaboratively to address the root causes of migration and hardships faced by Nigerian immigrants -It involves improving living conditions, economic prospects, and security in Nigeria; so its citizens are less compelled to seek refuge elsewhere.
On the other hand, South Africa needs to ensure that its immigration policies and deportation procedures align with international human rights standards. Treating all migrants, including those facing deportation, with dignity and respect is crucial to fostering an inclusive society.
The incident of Nigerian immigrants jumping out of a moving bus in South Africa highlights the complexities of migration and asylum-seeking in the region. It emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying issues in Nigeria while ensuring fair and humane treatment of immigrants in South Africa. Collaboration between the two countries, with support from the international community, is vital in finding lasting solutions to these challenges. Ultimately fostering an environment of understanding and empathy can contribute to a more compassionate approach towards those seeking refuge and a better life.
A Rock And A Hard Place
In this year's presidential election, the immigration issues, and the horrific treatment of migrants will be central. Our collective psyche indelibly scarred by the horrific images of migrant children in cages, family separation, and the intolerable conditions at the southern border. Caught in this transnational vortex are many African migrants whose plight has been largely ignored by the mainstream media.
By Angela Brooks
With a philosophy of maximum cruelty
By Angela Brooks
In this year's presidential election, the immigration issues, and the horrific treatment of migrants will be central. Our collective psyche indelibly scarred by the horrific images of migrant children in cages, family separation, and the intolerable conditions at the southern border. Caught in this transnational vortex are many African migrants whose plight has been largely ignored by the mainstream media.
African migrants hoping to reach the US
Cutting off much-needed aid to countries in Central America and Africa has only magnified the problem. If the Trump administration thought its actions would stem the migrant tide allied with the philosophy of maximum cruelty, it has proven to be inept and chaotic. These refugees fled their home nations for a myriad of reasons, including war, poverty, and economic opportunity. However, the reality for many has been a nightmare. Instead of reaching American utopia, their dreams have stalled as detainees in Mexican migrant camps.
The squalid conditions have engendered new threats against African migrants trying to survive a hostile environment.
Apart from the language barrier, migrants face overt racism, violence, and threats from human traffickers.
In late 2019, a California Representative Karen Bass led a delegation to the Mexican border, where she highlighted the plight of this downtrodden class. We can only hope that the congresswoman’s fierce activism changes the narrative of the public perception of this crisis.