Kenyan Lady Illegally Jailed in US Pens Heartbreaking Note to Kamala Harris: “I Was Deported Back Naked”
A Kenyan woman who was deported from the US after unjust imprisonment has reached out with a heartfelt message to US presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Merceline Atieno Onyango, who had originally come to the US on a full scholarship, found out that the offer was a scam and ended up selling books and magazines door-to-door to make ends meet.
She encountered persistent difficulties, often relocating between states to evade immigration authorities.
“I had to sell books and magazines door to door and slept in churches in the sleeping bags to earn money for the scholarship,” she began.
She was devastated by the news of her father’s passing and was unable to attend the funeral. She asked for a video of the ceremony, which was accidentally seen by two US officials from a homeless shelter.
Why was Merceline Atieno jailed in the US?
She claims that these officials attacked her, prompting her to ignite a rag in response—a gesture that was quickly put out. Following this, she was arrested and charged with arson and attempted murder, which she disputes.
Although the law mandated a 12-month sentence, Atieno was held for 18 months, during which authorities persistently labeled her as mentally ill. After her conviction, her sentence was further extended to five years.
After serving her sentence, she was re-arrested by immigration officers and held for an extra eight months. During this time, Atieno, who said she was provoked, initiated a hunger strike and was nourished through a nasal tube.
Ultimately, the authorities removed her IV fluids, placed her on a stretcher in a hospital gown, and deported her back to Kenya.
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“They put me on a stretcher naked, wearing only a hospital gown that covered the front. Madam Kamala Harris, no matter what I did in the US, I did not deserve to be deported back naked. I was beaten and tortured. I was dragged in the winter on the floor. They assaulted me sexually. When I got back to Kenya, my hospital gown was full of blood,” she explained.
What happened when Merceline Atieno arrived?
When she arrived, the Kenya Red Cross Society filmed her and quickly transported her to Marter Hospital for immediate medical care.
“They were ashamed to get me out. They tried to dress me in American jail attire. KRCS made videos of me and there are medical reports. This thing traumatized me so much. My heart is still bleeding for justice since there is not much I can do when in an African land. Madam Kamala Harris, find a different way to get American citizenship,” she lamented.
Mombasa woman loses funds after deportation from Saudi
In a separate incident, a woman from Mombasa was devastated when her cousin refused to return the money she had earned while working in Saudi Arabia.
Mwaluma explained that she had left her employer’s residence in Saudi Arabia after her relative secured her a job in the nightlife industry.
Unfortunately, she was subsequently detained and sent back home, leaving her belongings and cash behind.
Kenyan Lady Illegally Jailed in US Pens Heartbreaking Note to Kamala Harris: “I Was Deported Back Naked”
