Kenyan Man Deported After Friend's Tip to the US Immigration Authorities for $750 Reward

A Kenyan national has been deported from the United States alleging that his friend, Allan, betrayed him by informing law enforcement of his undocumented status.

The man who had been residing in the US illegally, took to social media to document his experiences leading up to his deportation, sharing videos and messages that outlined the ordeal. In a poignant video, he recorded the moment his flight landed in Kenya, accompanied by a caption that expressed his disillusionment: "Deported after my friend Allan set me up to State police. Haina shida, Kenya is my first home."

Reports suggest that Allan may have received a reward of $750 for tipping off immigration authorities about his friend's circumstances. Upon returning to Kenya, the deported individual posted another video that captured an emotional reunion with his second-born child. This footage was paired with a direct accusation against Allan, whom he claims betrayed him to the authorities.

Reports on social media have exposed concerns about individuals allegedly reporting undocumented Kenyans to the US authorities amid heightened immigration enforcement. Some accounts suggest that informants may be offered payments of $750 (approximately 105,000 Kenyan Shillings) for information regarding the locations of undocumented immigrants. While these claims are circulating widely, there is currently no verified evidence confirming that individuals have been summoned to the Home Office in connection with such reports.

The situation has sparked a sense of betrayal within Kenyan communities, as anecdotal evidence of “snitching” fosters fear and suspicion among immigrants. This controversy unfolds in the context of President Trump’s intensified immigration crackdown, which he declared a national emergency on January 20, 2024. In line with this declaration, Trump announced a series of executive orders aimed at enhancing border security by mobilizing military resources, instituting a comprehensive ban on asylum claims, and imposing restrictions on citizenship for children born in the US.

Following these aggressive immigration policies, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed a national operation that resulted in the arrests of 538 individuals over just 33 hours. In response to the crackdown, some members of the Kenyan community have suggested that those at risk of deportation consider relocating to sanctuary states. These states, such as California and New York, have instituted policies that limit local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities, specifically prohibiting inquiries regarding an individual’s immigration status.