A Kenyan national employed by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has been arrested by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over alleged immigration violations.
ICE’s Seattle office said Stanley Robert Kungu Muthee was arrested during a traffic stop on Monday after authorities established that he had overstayed his visa.
According to ICE, Muthee entered the United States on February 6, 2019, through a B-2 tourist visa but remained in the country after the visa expired.
The agency said officers arrested Muthee while he wore a Washington DCYF jacket and carried a department identification card.
The state agency later confirmed that Muthee has been working for the department since August 16, 2024.
“Sanctuary states are hiring illegal aliens to work in their governments. Visa overstays are in the U.S. illegally, and a work permit does not shield them from deportation. DHS will continue putting the American people first by continuing the largest mass deportation effort in American history,” stated the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in a public announcement.
In a statement, DCYF Director of Communications Nancy Gutierrez said the employee provided documents indicating he was authorised to work when he was hired.
“This individual has been employed with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families since Aug. 16, 2024. The individual provided the appropriate documentation when he was hired, which indicated he was authorised to work. This included a valid United States Citizenship and Immigration Services number with no expiration date. We have not been notified of a change in his status,” Gutierrez said.
Intensified ICE Operations
For Muthee, the case fits a wider pattern.
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In October alone, DHS named 50 Kenyan nationals in its “Worst of the Worst” enforcement database, while ICE records show 1,282 Kenyans carrying final removal orders on its non-detained docket.
At least three Kenyans, former NFL player Daniel Ogama Adongo, doctoral student Kennedy Orwa and nurse Maureen Wanjiru, were deported in 2026.
The administration has also revoked more than 300,000 visas this year, including Kenyans’.
Why a State Government Employee Could Still Face Deportation
Entering the United States on a B-2 tourist visa does not grant permission to live permanently in the country.
The visa is intended for temporary visits such as tourism, medical treatment or visiting family members.
Visitors must leave before the period authorised by immigration officials expires.
Remaining beyond that date can result in a person being considered out of status and unlawfully present in the United States.
A work permit, commonly known as an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD), is also different from lawful immigration status.
While a work permit may allow an individual to work legally in the United States, it does not automatically protect the holder from immigration enforcement or deportation proceedings.
Eligibility to work and eligibility to remain in the country are governed by different provisions of U.S. immigration law.
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In some cases, asylum seekers and other immigrants may qualify for work authorisation while their immigration applications are under review.
This means a person can legally work and obtain a work permit even though their long-term immigration status has not yet been determined.
Under federal law, employers must verify that prospective employees are authorised to work in the United States through the I-9 employment verification process.
Government agencies, private companies and other employers rely on the documents presented during this process when making hiring decisions.
However, immigration authorities retain the power to investigate and detain individuals found to have violated the terms of their visas or immigration status.
Visa overstays can lead to removal proceedings and may affect future applications for visas, residency or other immigration benefits in the United States.
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