Kenya on the list of East African countries with the highest deportations from USA
Jan 29, 2025
ICE plans to deport 1.4M noncitizens, including 1,282 Kenyans
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is working to deport 1,445,549 noncitizens from 187 countries. Among them, over 1,000 are Kenyans. As of November 24, 2024, ICE data shows that 1,282 Kenyans are part of this group. These individuals have received court orders for removal but are not currently in detention.
The term "non-detained docket" refers to individuals who are not held in ICE detention but are still considered removable. This means they can still face deportation actions even though they are not in custody.
Besides Kenyans, several other African countries have nationals on the deportation list. These include Tanzania (301), Uganda (393), Somalia (4,090), South Sudan (136), Ethiopia (1,713), and Rwanda (338). Additionally, Burundi (462), Congo (795), Djibouti (29), Nigeria (3,690), Niger (642), Zimbabwe (545), and Zambia (174) also have significant numbers of individuals facing deportation.
ICE has stated that this operation is part of its routine enforcement of immigration laws. The agency is focused on removing individuals who are living in the U.S. without legal permission or who have committed offenses that require deportation.
Each year, ICE carries out targeted actions against noncitizens who do not comply with legal requirements or court orders. However, some individuals may seek relief from deportation. This includes applying for asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture. If granted, these individuals cannot be deported.
ICE also pointed out that deportation can be delayed when foreign governments do not cooperate in accepting their citizens back. The U.S. government believes every country should take back its nationals who are no longer allowed to remain in the U.S. Lack of cooperation can slow down or even prevent removals.
Since President Donald Trump took office, he has expanded the powers of immigration authorities to speed up deportations. He has also pledged to conduct the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
