The government of the United States has increased the number of Kenyans listed among what authorities describe as the “worst of the worst” illegal immigrants living in the country.
According to the United States Department of Homeland Security, the number of Kenyans included in the database has risen from 15 to 39 individuals. The list targets undocumented immigrants who authorities say have been linked to serious criminal offences and are considered priority cases for detention and deportation.
The database was introduced in December last year to monitor illegal immigrants who have been arrested or convicted of crimes across all 50 states in the United States. Officials say the platform helps immigration authorities track individuals flagged for serious violations of the law.
The latest update added 24 more Kenyans to the list, with authorities indicating that those included have been convicted of various offences. The crimes cited include drug trafficking, armed robbery, homicide, assault, child molestation and cruelty toward a child.
Other offences listed in the database include aggravated assault with a weapon, terror-related threats, money laundering, cheque forgery and attempts to evade prosecution. Authorities also cited cases involving driving under the influence, domestic violence, fraud, kidnapping of a minor and violation of court orders.
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security said the United States has already removed more than one million undocumented immigrants who were linked to serious criminal activity. The agency said those deported included individuals convicted of crimes such as murder, rape, gang-related offences and terrorism.
As part of efforts to accelerate deportations, the administration of Donald Trump has also introduced a self-deportation mobile application targeting undocumented immigrants.
The application allows individuals living illegally in the United States to voluntarily leave the country instead of waiting for arrest and forced deportation. To encourage its use, the government has offered financial incentives of up to $3,000 (about Ksh387,000) as well as travel assistance.
Trump described the initiative as part of what he said would become the largest deportation campaign in the history of the United States.
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