Afia was a guest on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami, where she opened up about her struggles in America after moving there last year in search of greener pastures.
Afia expressed her distress over President Trump’s policies targeting illegal immigrants, which include deportation to their home countries unless they re-enter legally.
Afia, who left her husband in Ghana to pursue a better life, shared how she managed to save $15,000 by working multiple home care jobs.
However, she revealed her frustration over the high costs of acquiring legal documents, which range from $25,000 to $30,000, making her consider returning to Ghana to start her own business with her savings.
In the interview, Afia admitted that while she wouldn’t discourage anyone from traveling, the reality of life abroad is far from what people imagine.
“When I was jobless in Ghana, all I wanted was to travel and find work. But here, you need someone’s papers to work legally, and it can take months to get them. Even then, you’re constantly working, rain or shine, with barely any time for yourself,” she said.
Afia disclosed that she does two caregiving jobs, earning enough to support her family back in Ghana and save a little. However, she noted that the money sent home often exceeds what she can save.
“I wanted to use the money to process my documents, but the amount people are asking for is overwhelming. If you pay and they fail you, you can’t even report them because you don’t have papers.”
She recounted stories of people she knows who have been duped while trying to legalize their status, some of whom have lived in America for over a decade without success. Afia also reflected on the sacrifices she has made:
“Life here is just work and home. I can’t remember the last time I cooked a proper meal for myself, and I live on frozen food unless I order African meals from restaurants.”
Her husband, who initially resisted her decision to return, now supports it. Afia admitted that hiding her undocumented status for years has strained her marriage.
“Some people advise me to find a boyfriend with papers and marry for documents, but I can’t do that. Many just want to take advantage of you.”
Afia is now at a crossroads, debating whether to use her savings to process her papers in the U.S. or return to Ghana and start fresh with her husband. She emphasized the high cost of living in America, where bills consume most of your income, leaving little room for savings.
“America is not what I imagined—it’s just work, home, and bills. If you don’t come here with a full scholarship or proper support, life can be very tough.”
In conclusion, Afia is asking herself if returning to Ghana with her $15,000 would be a better investment than staying in the U.S. under such difficult circumstances.
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