Stand with Kohn Glay Against Deportation

Hi, my name is Konnie Glay, and I’m Kohn Glay’s big sister. His friends recently reached out to our family to ask for our blessing in launching a GoFundMe campaign on his behalf. After talking it over with Kohn, we gave them the go-ahead, and they put together the following message:

Hello Friends,

We are close friends of Kohn Glay. Many of you may have seen or heard on TikTok that Kohn was taken into custody by ICE on the morning of Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Kohn and his family are originally from Liberia and were granted entry into the United States under political asylum. About 15 years ago, as a young man, Kohn was convicted of a non-violent offense related to marijuana. Despite turning his life around and staying out of trouble for over a decade, recent changes in immigration enforcement are now putting even long-settled asylum seekers at risk of deportation including Kohn.

Kohn’s Story, In His Words:

"My name is Kohn Glay, I’m 44 years old, and I came to the U.S. in 1990 with my family from Liberia. Shortly after we arrived, we applied for and were granted political asylum.

When my father naturalized, we believed that as many immigrant families do that, his naturalization automatically extended to all his children under the age of 16. Unfortunately, that assumption was wrong, and we didn’t learn the truth until much later.

In 2010, I was introduced to the criminal justice system for the first time. I was practicing Rastafarianism, and I often taught others about the natural benefits of cannabis. I was arrested for acquiring half an ounce of marijuana for someone who turned out to be an undercover police officer. I was charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana a non-violent offense and took a plea deal under the advice of a public defender, unaware of the immigration consequences tied to that charge.

After serving my time in Montgomery County, ICE detained me. I was told that my plea deal resulted in a federal felony, which violated my asylum status. I was sent to Oakdale, Louisiana, where I fought for a year and six months to preserve my right to remain in the U.S., representing myself in immigration court. Despite my efforts, a final order of deportation was issued in 2012.

Even so, in 2013, I was released under supervision because I was deemed not a threat to public safety. Since then, for over 12 years, I have lived in full compliance, checking in with ICE as required, either once or twice a year, without any further incidents, arrests, or violations.

Then, on May 25, 2025, I was taken by surprise. While leaving my home to walk my dog, I was approached by multiple plainclothes officers with no clear identification. Fearing for the safety of my daughter, who was home alone, I ran back inside to ensure she was safe before coming back out and surrendering myself.

Once my daughter was in the custody of family, I willingly turned myself over to ICE. I am now being told that my 2012 deportation order is being enforced, even though I have spent the last 13 years proving I am a positive, law-abiding member of my community."

KOHN NEEDS OUR HELP

We’ve created this campaign to raise funds for legal representation and attorney fees to fight this deportation and help Kohn stay in the U.S. with his daughter, his family, and the Happy Healin' community. If deportation can not be prevented, we are advocating that Kohn be returned to his country of birth, Liberia, rather than sent to a country he has no ties to and does not know.

As Kohn often says:

"I love myself like no one else can. I love myself like those who let me down should have. And I will go out and be a distributor of love."

That's our mantra, that's our mission; We are the distributors of LOVE!

We will keep this page updated as we receive new information. Please donate, share, and keep Kohn and family in your prayers. Thank you for your love and support during this time.