What Happens When a Kenyan Is Deported from the US

Fifteen Kenyans have been deported from the United States in a series of coordinated operations, marking the latest move in a broader crackdown on individuals with criminal convictions.

The deportees, described by U.S. federal authorities as “the worst of the worst,” were arrested across several states, including Colorado, Texas, California, Arizona, Tennessee, and Massachusetts. Their convictions range from drink-driving and fraud to more serious offences like aggravated assault, racketeering, and kidnapping. 

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the deportations are part of an effort to enforce immigration laws, focusing on those deemed to be dangerous criminals. Once the US issues deportation orders, Kenyan authorities are notified, and deportees are provided with temporary travel documents by Kenyan embassies where necessary. 

Upon arrival in Kenya, deportees are met by immigration officers and, in some cases, law enforcement officials from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations or the Anti-Terror Police Unit. The deportation process includes identity verification, interviews, and security screening. 

Those deported for minor offences, such as overstaying visas, are generally released after routine processing. However, individuals with serious criminal backgrounds may face additional questioning or detention if there are local investigations pending. 

In the absence of such charges, deportees are typically cleared, though they may remain under surveillance. Kenyan diplomatic missions abroad offer consular assistance but are limited in the support they can provide. 

They are unable to offer financial aid or assistance with bail, leaving many deportees to face the challenges of returning to Kenya without significant help.

Once back in Kenya, reintegration largely falls to the deportees' families. 

While there are some initiatives aimed at supporting the diaspora, such as the Diaspora Investment Support Office, there is no national strategy to aid those returning under duress. Few programmes are available to assist with employment, psychosocial support, or financial literacy, leaving many deportees vulnerable to stigma, unemployment, and emotional distress.

Deportation can have far-reaching consequences. Families lose essential sources of income and communities that rely on remittances experience economic setbacks. The psychological toll is equally significant, with deportees often returning with limited resources and shattered hopes for the future.

Samwel Kangethe, a Kenyan who chose self-deportation after a prolonged legal battle in the US, reflected on the impact on his family: “The family has lost that income. They only have one income now. Sam is going back to Kenya, and it’s going to be really complicated for the family to live in Michigan.”