The family of a Kenyan man detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) is struggling to raise KSh2 million to secure his release as he awaits a court hearing scheduled for May 4.
Cyrus Thairu is a Kenyan immigrant who traveled to the United States on a B2 travel visa, which later expired, making him an undocumented immigrant.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, undocumented immigrants are defined as “all foreign-born non-citizens who are not lawful residents.”
Many undocumented immigrants enter the U.S. either without inspection or by overstaying temporary visas after their authorized departure dates.
Cyrus falls into the second category. He has been in detention since March 26 and has filed an immigration asylum case with ICE in the state of Illinois.
The trailer driver had been transporting cargo from Illinois to Texas. On his return trip to New York on March 26, 2026, he was stopped by immigration officers at a checkpoint near the Mexican border.
He was then detained by ICE and now faces deportation proceedings.
His sister, Joyce Thairu, says the family has hired immigration lawyer Irene Mugambi to represent him.
They are trying to raise KSh2 million so he can be released before his case is heard.
Speaking by phone from Seattle, Washington, Joyce said:
“ICE detained Cyrus. He has been in custody for more than a month now. It has been a very difficult time for our family. My sister Mary Thairu has traveled to Texas to assist Cyrus and speak with his lawyer Irene Mugambi.”
“Our family is trying to raise KSh2 million to secure his release before his May 4 hearing. If we fail to raise the bond amount, he will have to remain in ICE detention. The Kenyan community is concerned about his welfare because he has a wife and children in Kenya and is being held in dangerous detention facilities.”
According to immigration lawyer Blaise Odhiambo, the Kenyan embassy may assist by helping him access legal representation if necessary.
“The family’s lawyer will need to contact the embassy and inform them of his status.”
Unfortunately, many people seeking asylum, like Cyrus, often end up in detention while waiting for decisions on their cases.
Texas is a conservative state where Governor Greg Abbott has taken a hardline stance on undocumented immigration and has strongly supported aggressive anti-immigration measures.
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