Visa for Ghanian Mom: Mamdani Claims Trump Consent

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Saturday that President Donald Trump has agreed to issue a visa to the mother of a 15-year-old immigrant student. The boy, Javits Frimpong, was shot and killed in the Bronx earlier this week. Mamdani made the claim in a post on X, stating he had just finished a phone conversation with the president regarding the immediate issuance of the visa.

The White House did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking confirmation of the administration's decision. The visa would allow Frimpong's mother to travel from Ghana to attend her son's funeral. Mamdani argued that the mother deserved to say goodbye to her child in person rather than from thousands of miles away.

Javits Frimpong arrived in the Bronx from Ghana a year ago to live with his father, Thomas Frimpong. According to U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Democrat representing the Bronx, the student was on his way to school shortly before 9:30 a.m. on Thursday when he was shot in the abdomen. He was pronounced dead at a hospital later that day.

Police have not made any arrests in the case, and the shooting remains under investigation. Thomas Frimpong described his son as a quiet teenager who spent much of his time on his cellphone. He revealed that several days before the shooting, the school principal informed him that two boys had been suspending for disturbing Javits. Thomas Frimpong said he called his son after the suspension, and Javits reassured him that he was okay.

Ghana's Foreign Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, stated on X that Ghanaian officials in New York are coordinating with local authorities. He added that the foreign ministry will work with U.S. authorities to ensure justice is secured. The visa decision comes as Trump's second term has seen a tightening of immigration rules, including a suspension of visa processing for 75 countries.

Mamdani wrote on X that all of New York City is mourning the tragedy. He emphasized that the murder of a child is a pain no parent should endure, especially one separated by distance. The mayor's announcement follows a week of grief in the Bronx, where local leaders have called for safety measures for students walking to school.