Why Some Kenyans Might Avoid Trump’s Deportation Crackdown
The United States is set to deport nearly three times the number of Kenyans it has removed over the past seven years, Newshub.co.ke has found.
Data indicates that more Kenyans are being deported from the US compared to their neighbors in East Africa.
However, new reports suggest that not all Kenyans caught in the immigration crackdown will be sent back home.
According to NBC News, some individuals arrested as part of the mass deportation operation have been released back into the US under a government monitoring program.
Citing five sources familiar with the matter, NBC News revealed that an arrest does not always lead to deportation.
A spokesperson from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) explained that federal court rulings prevent ICE from detaining individuals indefinitely if their home countries refuse to accept them. In such cases, ICE has no choice but to release them.
“The agency’s federal law enforcement officers do everything in their power to keep communities safe,” the ICE spokesperson said. “However, in certain situations, ICE is required to release some detained non-citizens.” This legal requirement could provide a lifeline for some Kenyans who might otherwise be deported.
Legal Protections Against Deportation
Non-citizens in the US facing deportation may seek protection through several legal avenues. These include applying for asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). If granted any of these forms of relief, ICE is prohibited from proceeding with their removal.
Deportation Statistics: How Many Kenyans Have Been Sent Back?
Our investigation shows that, on average, 68 Kenyans have been deported from the US every year since 2018. According to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report, a total of 48 Kenyans were deported last year alone.
Looking at historical data:
- 2018: 140 Kenyans deported
- 2019: 122 Kenyans deported
- 2020: 85 Kenyans deported
- 2021: 33 Kenyans deported
- 2022: 24 Kenyans deported
- 2023: 23 Kenyans deported
- 2024: 48 Kenyans deported
This brings the total number of Kenyans deported over the past seven years to 475 individuals.
In comparison, Kenya’s neighboring countries in East Africa have seen lower deportation numbers. Between 2019 and 2024, only 62 Tanzanians and 64 Ugandans have been deported from the US. Meanwhile, on a continental scale, Nigeria has recorded 902 deportations over the past six years.
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown: What’s Next?
Although former President Donald Trump deported fewer people during his previous term compared to his predecessors—Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton—his administration’s immigration policy is expected to be much stricter this time around.
New data shows that 1,282 Kenyans have already been identified among 1,445,549 non-citizens who could face deportation under Trump’s latest immigration policies. These policies focus on removing individuals who are either living in the US without legal documentation or have violated immigration laws.
Since Trump’s return to office, ICE has intensified its deportation efforts, leading to the arrest of more than 3,500 undocumented immigrants across the country. Several other African countries also have nationals facing possible deportation, including:
- Somalia: 90 individuals
- Nigeria: 3,690 individuals
- Ethiopia: 1,713 individuals
As ICE ramps up arrests and removals, it remains to be seen how many Kenyans will actually be deported—and how many might find legal loopholes to stay in the United States.
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