An old video of Ghanaian-born Christian blogger Samuel Sey defending strict immigration enforcement in the United States has resurfaced following reports that he is facing deportation for overstaying his authorised period of stay.

Sey, a conservative Christian commentator known for supporting US President Donald Trump’s tough immigration policies, was reportedly arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Columbus International Airport in Ohio on October 21, 2026.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Sey entered the country legally in 2022 but remained beyond his authorised period of stay. The department also said he had no pending immigration applications and had agreed to voluntary departure from the United States.

His case has attracted attention because of his previous public arguments that deporting undocumented immigrants was consistent with Christian values.

Old video draws renewed attention

The resurfaced video features Sey expressing support for strict immigration enforcement and arguing that people who violate immigration laws should face the consequences.

In his previous commentary, Sey maintained that Christian principles did not oppose deportations. Instead, he argued that such measures could be justified when governments enforced immigration laws.

His position has become a focus of online discussion following reports of his own immigration case.

Sey had built a following among conservative Christian audiences through his writing on religion, politics and culture. He operates the blog Slow to Write and has contributed to conservative media platforms.

His detention has prompted renewed scrutiny of his earlier statements supporting the removal of people who do not have legal permission to remain in the United States.

US authorities say blogger overstayed visa

According to DHS, Sey overstayed his authorised period of admission by more than four years and had no immigration applications awaiting a decision.

The department said he had accepted voluntary departure and would remain in ICE custody until he left the United States.

Voluntary departure allows eligible individuals to leave the country without a formal deportation order, although the immigration consequences depend on the circumstances of the case.

Sey has reportedly been held at Butler County Jail in Ohio following his arrest. Authorities have not publicly specified whether he will be sent to Ghana or Canada.

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Supporters question circumstances of arrest

Some of Sey’s supporters have disputed the circumstances surrounding his detention, suggesting that the case could involve administrative errors or problems with his immigration paperwork.

Conservative Christian commentators have expressed support for him, while a fundraising appeal has sought financial assistance for his family.

However, DHS has maintained that Sey overstayed his authorised period of stay and had no pending immigration applications. The differing accounts have contributed to the debate surrounding his case.

The available reports do not establish that immigration officials accepted the supporters’ explanation that paperwork errors were responsible for his situation.

Blogger previously defended deportations

Sey has been an outspoken supporter of strict immigration enforcement, arguing that governments have a responsibility to enforce their immigration laws.

His previous writings have criticised opposition to ICE operations and defended deportation as a legitimate government policy.

The case has drawn attention to the contrast between his public advocacy for deportations and his current circumstances.

However, the resurfaced video and the reactions to it do not change the legal questions surrounding his individual immigration status, which will be determined under US immigration procedures.

As of October 26, 2026, DHS had said Sey would be removed from the United States, while supporters continued to raise concerns about his paperwork and seek assistance for his family.