The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has dramatically expanded its public list of undocumented immigrants targeted for removal, nearly doubling the number of Kenyans labeled among the “worst of the worst” in just over 50 days. From an initial 15, the roster now names 28 Kenyan nationals living in America who have been convicted of serious crimes including homicide, drug trafficking, child molestation, and armed robbery.
The phrase “worst of the worst,” used by U.S. security agencies, refers to individuals believed to be in the country illegally while carrying serious criminal records. The public database, launched last December to track arrested and convicted immigrants across all 50 states, is part of a heightened crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration. Officials say the push for transparency is particularly urgent with the World Cup tournament set to begin in the United States this July.
“On President Trump’s first day in office, he unleashed ICE to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens, including pedophiles, murderers, gang members, terrorists, and rapists,” said Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin in a statement on January 20, 2026. The department claims to have removed more than 670,000 such individuals in the past year alone.
In a parallel effort to accelerate removals, the government is now incentivizing voluntary departure with a significant cash payout. Just a day before McLaughlin’s statement, Homeland Security announced it had increased the payment for “self-deportation” from approximately Ksh129,000 to Ksh336,000 for any illegal immigrant willing to leave the country voluntarily. The funds, along with a free flight home, are exclusively offered to those who register through the official Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mobile app.
McLaughlin credited these measures for a “record-breaking first year of achievements, including more than 670,000 removals and two million self-deportations.” The administration has also reportedly increased funding for immigration and customs enforcement by a staggering 9 trillion.
The expanded Kenyan list reflects a broader net being cast, with new additions convicted of offences ranging from aggravated assault and money laundering to kidnapping a minor, fraud, and violating court orders. The move underscores the administration’s continuing focus on immigration enforcement, a cornerstone of Trump's policy, as the international spotlight prepares to turn on the U.S. for the upcoming global sporting event.
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