Trump grants visa for Ghanaian mother to attend Bronx teen's funeral

President Donald Trump has agreed to grant an immediate visa to Doris Adu Gyamfi, allowing her to travel from Ghana to New York City for the funeral of her son, Javits Frimpong. The approval comes after Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke directly with the president on Saturday to request the waiver. Mamdani confirmed the agreement in a post on X, stating that Frimpong’s mother deserves to say goodbye to her son in person despite the distance.

Javits Frimpong, 15, was shot in the abdomen on Thursday just before 9:30 a.m. while walking to school in a Bronx neighborhood. New York City Police reported that he was rushed to a hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, and the case remains under active investigation.

The teenager arrived in the United States from Ghana one year ago to join his father, Thomas Frimpong. U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York, noted that the borough is mourning a young man who had his future ahead of him. Torres emphasized that no parent should endure the loss of a child while the other parent remains thousands of miles away.

Thomas Frimpong described his son as a quiet student who had been bullied at school. He revealed that he learned of the bullying only days before the shooting, when the school principal informed him that two students had been suspended for disturbing Javits. Thomas Frimpong recalled calling his son after the suspension to ensure he was safe. Javits replied that he was okay.

Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa welcomed the U.S. president’s decision to grant the visa. In a social media post, he stated that Ghanaian officials in New York are coordinating with local authorities to ensure justice is secured. The foreign ministry announced that the Ghanaian government will cover the full cost of the mother’s travel and contribute to the costs of a dignifying funeral.

Mamdani wrote on Saturday that the murder of a child is a pain no parent should endure, particularly from such a great distance. He added that all of New York City is mourning the tragedy. The White House has been reached for further comment regarding the specific terms of the visa grant.