The Trump administration has placed 15 Kenyan nationals on a public deportation list, branding them the “worst of the worst” criminal offenders as it begins carrying out the president’s pledge for large-scale removals of people in the country illegally.
The Department of Homeland Security released the names, photographs and criminal records of the 15 men on Dec. 10, saying they had been arrested in coordinated operations across 11 states: Colorado, Texas, California, Arizona, Tennessee, Utah, Massachusetts, Washington, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.
Their convictions range from driving under the influence and drug offenses to aggravated assault, kidnapping, weapons charges and racketeering, according to DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement records.
“Under Secretary (Kristi) Noem’s leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President 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 in a statement.
Coordinated arrests in multiple states
ICE agents took the Kenyans into custody in recent weeks as part of a broader push to prioritize the removal of noncitizens with serious criminal records. DHS launched a dedicated webpage Dec. 8 to showcase such cases, the first time the agency has published a running public gallery of targeted individuals.
The 15 Kenyans are part of a larger backlog. In January, shortly after Trump took office for his second term, ICE reported that 1,282 Kenyan nationals were among roughly 1.4 million immigrants on the deportation docket as of Nov. 24, 2024. It is unclear how many have been removed so far this year.
Trump’s deportation drive gains speed
President Donald Trump made the largest deportation operation in U.S. history a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign. Since returning to the White House, his administration has expanded interior enforcement, reinstated “expedited removal” procedures and increased workplace raids.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan have repeatedly said the focus is on public-safety threats, not law-abiding immigrants. Still, immigration advocates and some Democratic lawmakers have criticized the tactics as overly harsh and likely to sweep up people with minor or old convictions.
Reaction in Kenya and among diaspora
News of the deportations has spread quickly in Kenya, where an estimated 150,000 citizens live in the United States. Kenyan media have published the names and photos released by DHS, prompting concern among families.
The Kenyan government has not issued an official comment on the latest list, but Nairobi has previously urged Washington to ensure due process for its nationals.
Broader enforcement picture
The Kenyans are a small fraction of the administration’s early targets. DHS says more than 158,000 “criminal aliens” have been arrested since January, with removals topping 200,000 when voluntary departures are included.
Analysts say logistical bottlenecks — limited detention space, fewer immigration judges and reluctant countries of origin — continue to slow the pace, even as the administration insists it is only getting started.
For the 15 men now awaiting final removal orders, the public labeling as “the worst of the worst” marks the stark opening chapter of Trump’s promised crackdown.
