VIDEO: Kenyan man living in US intercepted by ICE outside church over visa status

A video has captured the moment a Kenyan national was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers outside a church in the United States, in an encounter that has sparked interest among Kenyan diaspora groups.

The footage, which surfaced on TikTok and spread rapidly across social media platforms, shows the man, identified as Edward, being detained after a church service.

Authorities alleged that Edward had overstayed a B-2 visitor visa while an asylum application remained pending.

An ICE agent told Edward that officers had a warrant for his arrest.

“This is for you right there, Edward. This is a warrant for your arrest. It looks like you have pending asylum applications. So we are going to take you in and deal with that,” the agent said.

Kenyan illegal is pulled over and arrested by ICE.

He can't believe it.

They always look so SHOCKED.

ICE is kind and respectful.

Bravo. pic.twitter.com/xTHZ9hKTWw

— Mila Joy (@Milajoy) August 24, 2026

Edward asked why he was being arrested, with the officer responding that he appeared to have overstayed his visa.

“I think you have overstayed your visa. You came as a visitor, and you have overstayed it. We need you to step out of the vehicle,” the officer said.

Edward then asked whether he could make a phone call. The officer told him he would be allowed to do so once they arrived at the ICE offices.

“When we get there, we will set up an appointment with the immigration judge, and we will see from there. This is not a criminal offence but a civil offence. You will have to see an asylum officer to renew your asylum application,” the officer said.

The detention highlights the consequences of unresolved immigration status in the US, where a pending application does not necessarily prevent enforcement action.

The incident has prompted discussion among members of the Kenyan diaspora, with community leaders and legal advisers urging foreign nationals to closely monitor their immigration documentation and comply with relevant deadlines.

ICE has intensified immigration enforcement operations, resulting in the arrest of more than 40 Kenyan nationals, according to reports.

Some of those detained reportedly appear on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) registries tracking non-citizens with serious criminal records.

A further 1,282 Kenyans are reportedly on the agency’s non-detained docket while facing active final removal or deportation orders.

Recent detentions have largely involved people with criminal convictions and have been linked to evolving federal immigration enforcement policies. Those targeted include individuals with state or federal convictions for offences such as assault, fraud, drug trafficking and driving under the influence (DUI).

The Laken Riley Act has also introduced stricter detention requirements for certain undocumented immigrants accused or convicted of specified crimes, contributing to increased immigration enforcement and deportation proceedings.