As the US government clamps down on illegal immigration, reports have emerged on Kenya’s social media groups claiming that Kenyans in US are snitching on other Kenyans to be deported.
The reports allege that Kenyans in US who know other Kenyans who are in the country illegally and, or who are out of status in the country are calling an anonymous number that has been set up to report undocumented persons for deportations.
But is there any truth to these allegations? A post check by Bizna Kenya captured some of the claims that have been circulating online.
“Wah… the way Kenyans are reporting each other for deportation is unbelievable. I am not sure what anyone will gain if a fellow Kenyan is [deported]… In Chicago and a few other States, ICE has given out a toll free number and are offering [money] to snitches,” Wairimu Kimani, a Kenyan who resides in the United States, alleged in a social media post.
In other related social media posts, allegations claimed that Kenyans who are telling on each other are targeting USD750 that is allegedly being paid out to anyone who makes a call to report an illegal immigrant.
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This claim was related to a post that appeared on Instagram on January 20. “ICE is allegedly offering $750 per illegal immigrant that you turn in through their tip form. You can call the ICE hotline at 866-DHS-2-ICE – 866-347-2423,” the post alleged.
However, this claim has been flagged as false. According to a report that was published by the USA Today, ICE has an online tip form and phone number for anonymously reporting of suspected criminal activity. However, the agency doesn’t offer rewards for aiding in immigration enforcement.
The USA Today further quoted ICE as officially stating that it does not offer rewards for tips in support of civil immigration enforcement objectives. “The agency has a tip form on its website as well as a phone number – which matches the one given in the post – to report criminal activity. Illegal immigration is listed among the examples of crimes that can be reported.”
