Leaving Behind a Life: Samuel Kangethe's Journey from the U.S. to Kenya
Samuel Kangethe is preparing to leave the U.S. after living there for 16 years. He is packing his belongings into suitcases in his West Lansing home. Despite his successful life in the U.S., he is afraid of being picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to a previous marriage ruling. Kangethe has no criminal record but faces deportation proceedings. He has decided to return to Kenya to avoid potential detention or deportation.
Kangethe's decision to leave the U.S. has been difficult, as he has built a life there with his wife and three children. He sees returning to Kenya as a way to take accountability for his situation. His departure will leave his family with one income, and they are relying on a fundraiser to support them financially. Kangethe believes that deportation policies create problems for families left behind, forcing them into government dependency.
At the Detroit Metro Airport, Kangethe is accompanied by friends who help him with his bags. His friend Lawrence Hiti expresses sadness at Kangethe's departure but respects his decision. Kangethe's family stays behind, as it was too emotional for them to see him off. His sister Elizabeth, who flew in from Kenya to assist him, hopes that he can adapt to Kenyan culture after living in the U.S. for so long. Kangethe's future is uncertain, as he faces a potential 10-year ban from returning to the U.S.
As Kangethe boards his flight to Kenya, he makes a final video call to his loved ones. He walks through the airport gate, leaving behind his life in the U.S. for an uncertain future in his home country. His family in the U.S. awaits the day they can reunite with him, unsure of when or if that will happen.