Undocumented Immigrants to Leave the U.S.
The Trump administration is now offering up to Ksh336,000 to illegal immigrants who choose to leave the United States voluntarily.
On Wednesday, January 21, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made this announcement, clarifying that the funds will only be available to those who register for self-deportation through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app.
Homeland Security stated that these undocumented immigrants will not only receive the cash but also a free flight back to their home countries.
This initiative is part of a larger effort by the U.S. government to decrease the number of illegal immigrants in the country, which may result in thousands of Kenyans being deported, either voluntarily or through force.
“Since January 2025, 2.2 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home programme,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return,” she added.
In her announcement, Noem cautioned that the opportunity might not last long, encouraging all undocumented immigrants, including Kenyans living in the U.S. without legal status, to come forward.
She pointed out that the current expense for a single enforced deportation is Ksh2.3 million, but with the new offer of a Ksh336,000 stipend, the cost for a self-deportation using the CBP Home App will only be Ksh659,328.
“With over 675,000 deportations during President Trump’s first year in office, those still in this country illegally should realise that it is only a matter of time before they are found, arrested, and removed,” Noem warned.
Since taking office in January of last year, President Donald Trump has been in charge of deporting hundreds of non-U.S. nationals on commercial flights, although officials haven’t revealed the exact number of migrants who have been removed.
The focus of the crackdown on unauthorized stays in the U.S. is on deporting illegal immigrants who have criminal records or are suspected of being national security risks.
In a related development, just a month ago, at least 15 Kenyans were named among the ‘worst of the worst’ illegal aliens by the U.S. government.
These individuals are facing serious allegations, including aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of stolen property, making terroristic threats, simple assault, money laundering, and check forgery.
On top of that, they are also accused of driving under the influence, domestic violence, robbery, evading prosecution, fraud, kidnapping a minor, violating court orders, and receiving stolen goods.
Undocumented Immigrants to Leave the U.S.
