US President agrees to issue visa to mother of slain Bronx teen, says Mayor Mamdani

UPDATE - follow-up to Mamdani says Trump has agreed to grant visa to mother of Ghanian teen killed in Bronx shooting: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that President Donald Trump has agreed to immediately issue a visa to the mother of Javits Frimpong, a 15-year-old immigrant who was shot dead in the Bronx.

Investigation and Tragedy

Frimpong was on his way to school in a Bronx neighbourhood just before 9:30 a.m. on October 29, 2026, when someone shot him in the abdomen. Police rushed him to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead later that same day. No arrests have been made so far, and local police are still investigating the killing. The victim had moved to the Bronx from Ghana a year earlier to live with his father and start a new life, according to U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres.

Reactions and Officials

Mayor Mamdani shared on X that the White House agreed to the visa after he spoke with President Trump on the phone. The White House did not immediately reply to an email from The Associated Press to confirm the visa issuance. Representative Torres stated that the entire borough is mourning the young man. Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa noted that Ghanaian officials in New York are working with local authorities, and the Foreign Ministry will push to secure justice. President Trump has tightened immigration rules during his second term, which includes halting visa processing for 75 countries.

Context

Immigration policy and international diplomatic coordination often intersect when families face sudden overseas emergencies. High-profile local leaders frequently step in to bridge communication gaps between city administrations and federal authorities.