Sam Kangethe, a Kenyan living in the United States, made the difficult choice to return home voluntarily after living in Michigan for 16 years.
He left behind his wife, Latavia, and their three children, including his youngest daughter, Ella, who is five.
Before leaving, Kangethe spent months preparing his family. He quit his job as a state accountant, planned long family dinners, played board games, and tried to make each moment with his children count.
On the day of departure, August 17, Kangethe said goodbye privately at home. He wanted to avoid the heartbreak of farewells at the airport. “I decided I would rather take myself out rather than arrive at an airport in shackles,” he said. “I wanted to come home with my dignity, in one piece.”
Sam Kangethe: Journey to the US
Kangethe first came to the US in 2009 on a student visa. He earned a Bachelor’s and Masters degrees in accounting and finance, married twice, and built a blended family.
His first marriage led to a temporary green card. But immigration officials later flagged the marriage as fraudulent, putting him in legal limbo. He could not renew his status and was considered deportable.
Despite legal battles and spending thousands on attorneys, Kangethe’s applications for permanent residency were denied. He and his wife Latavia discussed his fears as immigration raids increased in the spring of 2025. They agreed he should leave voluntarily to avoid a forced deportation.
Latavia spoke about the emotional toll on their children.
“Ella has changed a lot. She has more anger and anxiety. She doesn’t understand when I leave for work that her dad will come back,” she said.
She has enrolled the children in therapy and relies on family support and fundraising to manage financially.
Kangethe now lives in Kenya. He has been reconnecting with family, visiting his late father’s grave, and searching for accounting jobs. He still hopes to resolve his US immigration case and reunite with his family. He plans to attend a court hearing via Zoom in January.
Despite the pain of separation, Kangethe has no regrets. “I feel free now. My family can reach me anytime. There, I was just surviving and hoping that somebody would not pick me up. That’s not living to me,” he said.
He hopes sharing his story will help others facing similar challenges and show that his decision was one of integrity, not abandonment.
By Vivian K.