LANSING, Mich. — Samuel Kangethe, a father of three, reflects on his family’s summer days spent playing at a local park, surrounded by children’s laughter.
Yet beneath the cheerful exterior lies a profound uncertainty and fear for Kangethe, an immigrant from Kenya, who has navigated the complexities of the U.S. immigration system for years.
Kangethe first arrived in Michigan more than 16 years ago on a student visa, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in finance.
Up until May, he worked as an accountant for the state of Michigan, bringing stability to his family. However, recent political changes have thrown his life into turmoil.
“President Trump campaigned on immigration and enforcing immigration policies,” Kangethe says, sharing the personal toll these changes have taken on him.
His immigration case is complicated due to a previous marriage, which was deemed fraudulent by immigration officials, rendering him deportable despite not having committed any crimes.
After a divorce and a remarriage in 2018, Kangethe has not been able to adjust his legal status.
“I have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of — I don’t want that case. I’m not going to let it put me in shackles for the rest of my life,” he states emphatically.
Faced with an ultimatum from the Trump administration to leave voluntarily or risk detention and deportation, Kangethe has made a difficult decision: he will self-deport.
He is among thousands of migrants who have opted to follow President Trump’s directive to self-deport, a decision fraught with emotional weight.
According to White House border czar Tom Homan, over 7,000 people have utilized a government app to self-deport, although Kangethe’s choice is independent of that process, opting to leave without government assistance.
This decision has not come easily, especially for Kangethe’s wife, Latavia.
“I think after months of going through that, it took a toll even on our marriage, to the family,” she admits, sharing her fears about the family’s future.
Latavia is anxious about raising their children without their father, experiencing the shift from a dual-income household to becoming a single parent.
“It’s scary. Essentially I’ll be a single mom,” she says, highlighting the emotional and financial implications of Kangethe’s departure on their family.
Kangethe expresses deep concern for his children—questions swirl around their education and welfare.
“Will they be able to afford college? Will they be able to afford to stay in their home?” he wonders aloud, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders.
The impending separation stirs deep emotions within him, yet he is resolute: “I’m willing to go back to Kenya if that’s the sacrifice I have to pay.
Sam wants to leave on his own terms, not as a detainee, and he finds solace in knowing his family can still reach him whenever needed.
His resignation has left ripples in his community, where he has built significant bonds and trust.
At Dan Henry Distributing in Lansing, Kangethe’s boss, Dan Henry, expressed sorrow over losing a dedicated employee.
“Sam has always been a self-starter, a quick learner, happy to have a job,” he says, lamenting the loss of a valuable team member.
Henry believes that the crackdown on immigration has consequences—communities are losing individuals who contribute significantly to society.
“Unfortunately, I think what we are gonna do is we are going to lose an awful lot of good people in the process,” he warns.
Kangethe’s friends, including Betsy Ford, have vowed to support Latavia and the children in his absence.
“I’m definitely going to have to step up then in his absence to let them know we are still here,” Ford assures, highlighting the community’s commitment to stand by the family through these challenging times.
As Kangethe prepares for his departure, he contemplates the emotional journey ahead, accepting the sacrifice he feels is necessary for the safety and security of his family.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for those emotions, but I feel like that’s a small sacrifice to pay,” he concludes, embodying a mix of sorrow and hope as he anticipates a future shrouded in uncertainty.
image source from：npr
