Kenyan Father Spends 8 Months in US Detention After Returning From Kenya

Kenyan father of four Kevin Ntabo has spent eight months in immigration detention in Washington State as he challenges his possible deportation to Kenya.

Ntabo was detained on Christmas Day 2025 after returning to the United States from Kenya, where he had travelled to bury his father. He has since been held at the Northwest ICE Processing Centre in Tacoma while his immigration case remains unresolved.

Before his detention, Ntabo lived in Edmonds with his wife and four children and worked as a corrections officer. His absence has left his wife responsible for raising their children while also dealing with the financial costs of his legal defence.

The family has launched a fundraising campaign to help pay his legal fees and support them during his detention.

The case took a further legal step in late July when Ntabo v. Hernandez et al. was filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington. His lawyers are seeking a writ of habeas corpus, arguing that his continued detention is unjustified and asking the court to order his release while his immigration proceedings continue.

The petition places Ntabo's detention within the wider legal debate over prolonged immigration custody, particularly in cases involving people with established employment and community ties in the United States.