Inside Trump's New Hunt for Undocumented Kenyans in America

The United States has ramped up its enforcement of immigration laws in recent weeks, particularly focusing on undocumented individuals from Kenya.

As of January 26, a total of 956 individuals have been apprehended, marking the highest detainment numbers since Donald Trump's second term as President began. These enforcement actions, executed by various federal agencies, have primarily targeted large urban areas such as Chicago, Newark, and Miami. The operations have been largely influenced by public tips, directing immigration officials to frequent gathering places of undocumented immigrants, such as workplaces and places of worship.

This intensified enforcement has led to widespread fear in immigrant communities, with many opting to refrain from attending work. A Kenyan resident in Boston has conveyed the pervasive anxiety felt within the immigrant community. While his family has not been subjected to visits from immigration officials, he remarks that foreign nationals across the state are living in a climate of constant apprehension.

"Some nationals have resorted to staying at home full time out of fear. Officers are closing in on migrants in the most random places, including your workplace," he says.

He further expresses concerns about the impact on documented immigrants whose undocumented relatives are now at risk. In a separate account shared with CNN, a relative of a long-term US immigrant describes how their kin, who had resided in the United States for nearly three decades, was arrested after immigration agents arrived at his residence. The ease with which law enforcement can apprehend entire families, often after receiving a tip-off about undocumented status, has intensified the urgency of the current situation.

This recent uptick in enforcement correlates with President Trump's renewed emphasis on immigration issues, as articulated in his inaugural address. This approach contrasts sharply with the policy priorities of his predecessor, Joe Biden, whose administration focused primarily on individuals posing threats to public safety. Social media has seen an outpouring of discontent from Kenyans living in the United States, many expressing their frustration at being reported to immigration authorities, occasionally by their own compatriots.

The measures have escalated to the point where military aircraft are now employed to conduct deportation flights, typically carrying at least 80 undocumented immigrants per flight. The broader implications of this crackdown are significant, disrupting the lives of those directly affected while fostering a profound sense of fear and uncertainty within immigrant communities.