One of the Gambians who were recently deported from the USA has accused the government of failing to do enough to protect the interest of its citizens in America.

In a live Facebook interview with Fatu Network, Tijan Njie disclosed the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in Louisiana were able to load them onto a chartered aeroplane because the government accepted to receive them.

With the help of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ICE was able to secure emergency travel certificates for each of them.

Mr Njie confirmed rumours that they were kept shackled in the aeroplane from the USA to the Banjul International Airport, where they were handed over to the Gambia Immigration Department.

“They called us criminals, but we were not criminals. Most of us were businessmen, hardworking people that left everything behind.”

Mr Njie, who admitted to living in the USA illegally for more than 20 years, said the government should do more to stand up for its citizens.