Kennedy Orwa is a PhD student in the Information School in good standing. Originally from Kenya, he was admitted to UW to study for his doctorate and issued an F-1 visa. On April 7, 2026, Kennedy was returning to Seattle from a trip abroad with his 13 year old son, who is a student in Seattle Public Schools. They were unexpectedly detained by CBP in the SeaTac airport. CBP told them they needed to return to Kenya and reapply for a new visa, denied them the opportunity to consult with their lawyers or speak to their family, and put them on a Delta Airlines flight out of the country the afternoon of April 8.

Kennedy and his family are valued members of our community. They will need extra support in order to cover the expenses of visa reapplication, return to the United States, and other costs. We are grateful for your support.