Donald Trump grants emergency visa to mother of slain Javits Frimpong

President Donald Trump has approved an emergency travel visa for the mother of 15-year-old Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong, allowing her to travel from Ghana to New York City to attend her son’s funeral. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the decision on October 31, 2026, following direct communication with the White House. The intervention follows the tragic shooting of the Ghanaian teenager in the Bronx, an event that has sparked international outrage and calls for justice from both American and Ghanaian authorities.

Javits Frimpong, a 10th-grade student who had recently moved from Ghana to join his father in the United States, was fatally shot on October 29 while walking to school. He later succumbed to his injuries, leaving his family and the local Ghanaian community in deep mourning. In the wake of the tragedy, the teenager's father raised concerns that the incident might be linked to bullying his son had faced at school. The New York Police Department is currently searching for three teenage suspects believed to be connected to the murder.

The Ghanaian government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has strongly condemned the attack and indicated it is seeking full accountability for the killing. In New York, the incident has prompted responses from high-ranking political leaders, including Congressman Adriano Espaillat and New York Attorney General Letitia James. These officials have expressed their condolences to the family while condemning the prevalence of gun violence and calling for a swift conclusion to the ongoing investigation.

Community members in the Bronx have since held a vigil to honor Javits’ life and demand an end to violence in the neighborhood. The granting of the emergency visa will permit the boy's mother to mourn in person, a development facilitated by the intervention of the New York City Mayor's office and the federal government. The NYPD's investigation remains active as they work to identify and apprehend those responsible for the shooting.