April 18, 2026
Trump Confirms Crackdown On Illegal Migrants, 30,000 Kenyans Face Deportation

Trump Confirms Crackdown On Illegal Migrants, 30,000 Kenyans Face Deportation

At least 30,000 Kenyans living in the United States have been placed on high alert after President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday, November 18, that he will declare a national emergency to carry out his campaign pledge of mass deportation of irregular migrants living in the country.

Trump, one of the most active world leaders on social media, retweeted a piece from November 8 by his buddy Tom Fitton, the chairman of the conservative Judicial Watch organization.

In his piece, Fitton claimed that the Trump administration was “prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.”

To achieve his goal of reducing irregular immigration, Trump has appointed several immigration hardliners to crucial Cabinet positions.

They include South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. Noem was chosen as Homeland Security secretary, pending Senate approval.

In the run-up to the US elections, Trump emphasized immigration as one of his key campaign concerns, particularly the rising number of immigrants.

During his campaigns, he pledged to secure the border and halt the flow of irregular immigration, which he said reached unparalleled levels during the Biden-Harris administration.

Why this matters: Currently, there are 11 million undocumented migrants in the United States without legal immigration status, including Kenyans.

According to 2020 Census Bureau data, at least 30,000 Kenyans are living in the United States without sufficient legal identification. The figure could rise to greater levels by 2024.

According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ International Migrant Stock 2020 statistics, the United States has the most Kenyan migrants (157,000), followed by the United Kingdom (139,000).

That ranking places Kenya seventh among African countries of origin for immigrants in the United States. Nigeria is the country with the most African immigrants in the United States.

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With Trump’s new resolve, undocumented Kenyans in the United States face a real possibility of being deported back to Kenya, despite the fact that some of them have established a nice life in the United States.

Aside from probable deportation concerns, another major concern for Kenyans following Trump’s election is the potential restriction of Optional Practical Training (OPT).

This enables international students to get valuable job experience in their field for up to three years following graduation.

During his last term, Trump’s government contemplated curtailing OPT, specifically the 24-month extension provided to STEM students.

Trump Confirms Crackdown On Illegal Migrants, 30,000 Kenyans Face Deportation

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