This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
Dr. Mzenga Wanyama, a Kenyan professor at Augsburg University in Minnesota, is facing a daunting reality: possible deportation back to Kenya.
Dr. Wanyama, a professor of English literature and African American Studies, has been a productive member of the community since arriving in the United States on a student visa in 1992.
However, his journey to the US was not without its challenges. Dr. Wanyama applied for political asylum, but his application was denied. He managed to secure a deal that required him to report to the immigration office periodically.
Recently, Dr. Wanyama received a letter requiring him to report to immigration on March 8th, 2018, a month earlier than initially scheduled.
The Minnesota community has rallied behind Dr. Wanyama, with the mayor of Minneapolis and the President of Augsburg University speaking out in his defense.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has given Dr. Wanyama one month to prepare for deportation, leaving him with a daunting prospect: returning to Kenya after nearly three decades in the US.
