The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a list of immigrants marked for deportation under a new operation targeting individuals with criminal convictions.
The list, part of a wider crackdown involving more than 100,000 people, includes 15 Kenyans arrested across various states.
According to DHS, its officers are implementing the administration’s instructions by initiating mass deportations, beginning with those it categorised as the highest-risk offenders.
"Under Secretary Kristi Noem's leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Donald Trump's promise and carrying out mass deportations - starting with the worst of the worst - including the illegal aliens you see here," the department said.
One of the Kenyans facing deportation is Alfred Obiero,who was convicted of assault, driving under the influence of alcohol and domestic violence.
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He was arrested in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Another Kenyan on the list is Bethuel Gathu, who was convicted of robbery and was arrested in Chowchilla in the state of California.
Patrick Mwangi is also set for deportation. He was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested in San Antonio in the state of Texas.
Daniel Kathii was included in the group as well, having been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested in Conroe in the state of Texas.
Another Kenyan on the list is Isaac Githinji. He was convicted of fleeing to avoid prosecution or confinement and was arrested in Apache Junction in the state of Arizona.
Moses Okoth is also facing deportation, having been convicted of aggravated assault involving a weapon and was arrested in Nashville, in the state of Tennessee.
DHS also listed Clement Mulovi. He was convicted of fraud and was arrested in Houston in the state of Texas.
Another Kenyan named in the operation is Mohamed Chekchekani, who was arrested in San Pedro in the state of California.
According to DHS, he was convicted of kidnapping a minor and violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
Moffat Muriithi was also included. He was convicted of offences involving dangerous drugs and was arrested in Seguin in the state of Texas.
Another Kenyan, Naserian Montet, was listed after his conviction for assault and violating a court order. He was arrested in Spanish Fork in the state of Utah.
Francis Mungai also features on the list. He was convicted of receiving stolen property and was arrested in Burlington in the state of Massachusetts.
DHS also identified Antony Karia. He was convicted of making false statements, fraud and a hit-and-run offence. He was arrested in Seattle in the state of Washington.
Another Kenyan, Boniface Mburu, is also set for removal having been convicted of aggravated assault involving a weapon and possessing stolen property.
He was arrested in Marietta in the state of Georgia.
Kevin Gunyanyi was listed after being convicted of assault and making terroristic threats. He was arrested in Lancaster in the state of Pennsylvania.
The final Kenyan on the list is Collins Keanche. He was convicted of forging cheques and money laundering and was arrested in Saint Cloud in the state of Minnesota.
This development comes weeks after Trump said he intends to halt migration from Third World countries entirely.
In a statement on Friday, November 28, Trump described the pause as necessary for America’s recovery, adding that he will remove noncitizens he considers unhelpful to the United States.
He added that his administration will eliminate federal support for them and denaturalize individuals he believes threaten domestic stability.
"I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Joe Biden's Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country, end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens of our Country, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any foreign national who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization," he said.
Trump said the objective of the measures is to reduce what he described as illegal populations, including individuals admitted under what he claims was an unauthorized process.
"These goals will be pursued with the aim of achieving a major reduction in illegal and disruptive populations, including those admitted through an unauthorized and illegal Autopen approval process," he added.
Trump insisted that reversing migration is the only way to resolve what he views as America’s immigration challenges.
"Only reverse migration can fully cure this situation. Other than that, Happy Thanksgiving to all, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for. You won't be here for long," he further said.
