A US-based Kenyan content creator has raised concern among Kenyans living in the United States after warning undocumented immigrants that immigration authorities are stepping up efforts to identify and deport people who have violated the terms of their stay.
The content creator on TikTok under the username @thekenyanamericanhome discussed what he described as some of the methods being used by US immigration authorities to identify people who are out of status.
In a video circulating on TikTok, he highlighted questioning at ports of entry, scrutiny in communities with large immigrant populations and the risks facing people who have overstayed their visas or otherwise fallen out of lawful immigration status.
He also cautioned Kenyans who have overstayed their authorised period of stay and are considering seeking asylum to carefully assess their circumstances before approaching immigration authorities.
The TikToker further advised immigrants who frequently travel within or outside the US to exercise caution, urging those without secure immigration status to avoid unnecessary movement while the current enforcement environment remains uncertain.
New visa rule for international students
The warning comes as the US has introduced significant changes affecting international students.
The Department of Homeland Security has ended the long-standing “duration of status” system for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.
Under the new regulations, which take effect on September 15, 2026, holders of F student visas and J exchange visitor visas will be admitted for the length of their academic programme, subject to a maximum stay of four years.
The move marks the end of the “duration of status” policy, which has been in place since 1978 and allowed international students to remain in the United States indefinitely provided they continued to meet the conditions of their visas through their educational institutions.
Students who need additional time to complete their studies will no longer receive automatic extensions through their schools. Instead, they will be required to apply directly to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an Extension of Stay (EOS).
According to DHS, all extension requests will be subjected to biometric screening, background checks and fraud assessments before a decision is made.
The department said the revised process restores federal authority over visa extensions, shifting responsibility away from academic institutions.
The changes also reduce the period students can remain in the United States after completing their studies.
While F-1 visa holders previously had 60 days to leave the country, transfer to another institution or seek a change of immigration status, the grace period has now been cut to 30 days.
In addition, DHS has introduced tighter restrictions on students seeking to change their academic programmes while studying in the United States.
The new policy will apply not only to future applicants but also to international students currently in the country under the previous “duration of status” arrangement.
DHS said those students will automatically transition to the new framework, with their authorised stay limited to a maximum of four years from the date the rule takes effect.
Visa overstays scrutiny
US immigration authorities have long used government records to identify people who remain in the country beyond their authorised period of admission.
The Department of Homeland Security maintains records of arrivals and departures, while immigration authorities can use government databases and other information when investigating possible visa violations.
ICE has previously said its overstay enforcement programme uses system-generated leads and additional database checks to identify people who may have remained in the US beyond their authorised stay.
Remaining in the country beyond that authorised period can result in a person falling out of status and can affect future eligibility for US visas.
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