Kenyan Father of Four Facing Deportation in the US After Returning From Father’s Burial

Kevin Ntabo, a Kenyan father of four living in Washington state, is facing deportation after US immigration authorities detained him at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport when he returned from Kenya, where he had travelled to bury his father.

Ntabo, who lives with his family in Edmond, Washington, was taken into custody in December 2025 after immigration officials identified issues with his legal status during his re-entry to the United States. He was later transferred to the Northwest ICE Processing Centre in Tacoma, where he remains in detention.

His detention has left his wife responsible for caring for their four children, Teriah, Benjamin, Luiz and Jasiel, while also managing the family’s financial responsibilities. Friends and members of the local community describe Ntabo as someone who had built a stable life in Washington while raising his children.

According to his pastor, Ntabo is awaiting a final immigration hearing scheduled for Tuesday, 17 March. The immigration court will decide whether he can remain in the United States or will be deported to Kenya.

Cases such as Ntabo’s occur when travellers returning to the United States are questioned about their immigration status at ports of entry. In some instances, individuals are detained while authorities review their legal standing. Outcomes vary, with some being released after hearings and others ordered to leave the country.