Immigrant from Kenya decides to depart the United States under his own control, stating, "At least I'm safe"
In a surprising turn of events, Samuel Kangethe, a long-time resident of Michigan, has chosen to self-deport due to the fear caused by President Trump's immigration policies. Kangethe, who has lived in the United States for over 16 years, worked as an accountant for the state of Michigan until recently.
Kangethe's immigration status is uncertain due to a prior marriage deemed fraudulent by immigration officials in 2014. Despite having no criminal record, he has not been able to adjust his legal status. His decision to self-deport has affected his community in Michigan, leaving behind friends and colleagues who express concern for his family's well-being.
Dan Henry, president of Dan Henry Distributing, described Kangethe as a self-starter and quick learner. Expressing sadness at Kangethe's departure, Henry worries about the impact of current immigration policies. He has contacted his local Republican congressman to intervene in Kangethe's case, but to no avail.
Betsy Ford, one of Kangethe's friends, is also concerned about his family's emotional and financial future. Kangethe is worried about the financial future of his children, including their ability to afford college and stay in their home. He has made a decision to self-deport as a small sacrifice compared to the safety it guarantees him.
Self-Deportation: A Growing Trend
Self-deportation of immigrants without legal status refers to undocumented immigrants choosing voluntarily to leave the U.S. to avoid detention and forced deportation by immigration authorities. While official statistics do not track self-deportations, anecdotal evidence and attorney reports indicate that self-deportation is widespread across the country, especially amid heightened immigration enforcement.
According to White House border czar Tom Homan, more than 7,000 people have used a government app to self-deport. ICE recorded nearly 150,000 deportations in the first six months of 2025, on course for more than 300,000 deportations in the year. However, self-deportations are not included in these numbers and are described as an untracked but significant phenomenon.
Impact on Families and Communities
Self-deportation often results in families being split apart, as some members (especially those with legal protections, like minors with juvenile visas) may remain while others leave to avoid detention. This separation causes emotional distress and instability in immigrant families, as illustrated by the example of Enrique and his son Antonio from Peru, where the father self-deported but the son remained legally in the U.S.
Communities experience chilling effects: fear of detention pervades immigrant populations affecting daily life participation, institutional engagement (e.g., education), and overall community cohesion. The aggressive ICE enforcement targets many immigrants with no or minor criminal records, increasing anxiety and vulnerabilities among otherwise low-risk community members.
In conclusion, while official deportation numbers are high, the total number of immigrants leaving the U.S. includes an unknown but substantial number who self-deport to avoid detention and deportation. This self-deportation leads to fragmented families and broader social and economic impacts on immigrant communities, driven by fear, insecurity, and disruption aggravated by intensified immigration enforcement policies.
- As self-deportation becomes more prevalent due to intense immigration enforcement, it has become a significant concern for political discussions and policy-and-legislation related to immigration.
- The growing trend of self-deportation, consequently, affects not only the immigrants themselves but also their communities, causing general-news about family separation, emotional distress, and the impact on community cohesion due to the fear of detention.
- The government's hardline policies on war-and-conflicts and immigration, such as President Trump's immigration policies, play a crucial role in driving the trend of self-deportation and in some cases, impact the local politics within communities, as demonstrated by Dan Henry's attempt to contact his local Republican congressman to assist Samuel Kangethe's case.
