Viral Video Incorrectly Associates 2025 US Deportations with 2017 Footage

A viral video inaccurately claims to show deportations of Kenyans and Somalis in 2025, while a reverse image search reveals it originates from 2017. The misleading footage features former KTN reporter Betty Kyallo, who has not covered news since leaving the station in 2018. Current deportation statistics under President Trump indicate heightened enforcement, yet the viral claims are unfounded.

A recent viral video falsely claims that KTN News reported on the deportation of Kenyans and Somalis from the United States in 2025. A reverse image search confirmed that the footage is actually from 2017, thus it cannot be related to the purported deportations in the year 2025. Since taking office for his second term on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump has intensified immigration enforcement, leading to increased deportations and calls for more funding to bolster border security.

In his recent address to Congress, President Trump emphasized the necessity for greater resources to support these deportations, notwithstanding that initial deportation figures under his administration show 37,660 people deported in January—lower than the monthly average of 57,000 during former President Biden’s term. The Trump administration’s policies have incited protests across various states in response to its stringent stance on immigration.

The misleading video surfaced on Facebook and purportedly features a report from the now-closed KTN News channel regarding a group of individuals deported from the U.S. The report allegedly includes a list of names of those deported and states that 64 Somalis and 7 Kenyans were involved. However, the video features former reporter Betty Kyallo, who left KTN in August 2018, making any reporting from 2025 impossible.

A thorough investigation revealed that the video in question was initially uploaded to YouTube on May 12, 2017, detailing the deportation of the individuals mentioned, aligning with those depicted in the viral post. Therefore, the claims linking the footage to events in 2025 are entirely unfounded, demonstrating the prevalence of misinformation regarding immigration issues.

Africa Check, a participant in Meta’s fact-checking initiative, advises users to be vigilant against false claims on social media. If a fact-checker rates content as false, it will be downgraded on Facebook and Instagram, limiting its audience reach. The organization encourages users to report false information to help combat misinformation effectively.

In conclusion, the viral video falsely linking to 2025 deportations is actually a misrepresented report from 2017. The investigation clarified that the content cannot pertain to current claims, thereby underscoring the importance of verifying information, especially in the context of immigration policies and their impact on communities. It is essential for social media users to critically evaluate and report misinformation to maintain the integrity of information shared online.

Original Source: africacheck.org