Asylum Denied: A Refugee's Struggle for Safety in America

by David Ngaruri Kenney, Philip G. Schrag

Asylum Denied is the gripping story of political refugee David Ngaruri Kenney's harrowing odyssey through the world of immigration processing in the United States. Kenney, while living in his native Kenya, led a boycott to protest his government's treatment of his fellow farmers. He was subsequently arrested and taken into the forest to be executed. This book, told by Kenney and his lawyer Philip G. Schrag from Kenney's own perspective, tells of his near-murder, imprisonment, and torture in Kenya; his remarkable escape to the United States; and the obstacle course of ordeals and proceedings he faced as U.S. government agencies sought to deport him to Kenya. A story of courage, love, perseverance, and legal strategy, Asylum Denied brings to life the human costs associated with our immigration laws and suggests reforms that are desperately needed to help other victims of human rights violations.

Genres: Law, Nonfiction, Memoir, Africa, Social Justice, Politics, Biography Memoir

360 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kanesha W · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ lots of unnecessary fillers but a pretty interesting and infuriating story. While some of the immigration laws, thankfully, have changed since the main character’s bout with the system, there’s still a ways to go. I’m excited to be a voice in this area of law and hope my clients are as hopeful as this main character, even when the outcome seems (and oftentimes is) so bleak.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Parts of this book were very interesting and parts were not; the parts that weren't got heavily into the refugee/immigration laws and duplicative. Regardless it was astonishing how something clear cut where his lifeld b in anger resulted in a denial for asylum.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really resonated with me, so I blew through it in just under 1 day. Even though the writing was not particularly engaging, the story really drew me in.

Or, more accurately, the story re-stirred moral outrage. Based on my [as yet limited:] experiences with immigration law, this book accurately portrayed much of what is wrong with the U.S. immigration bureaucracy. Inability to bridge cross-cultural misunderstandings. Unrepresented immigrants. Complicated and needlessly restrictive law. Red tape. Refugee roulette. The sadly overburdened and understaffed Board of Immigration Appeals. Arbitrary and capricious immigration judges. A dearth of capable and fair judicial review. The lack of flexibility and compassion. John Ashcroft.

I especially appreciated the "Exiled" chapter, which details the protagonist's troubles in Madagascar, his being threatened by Kenyan security forces in Tanzania, and his kidnapping by rebels in Uganda. It further recounts the protagonist's pain and suffering from being separated from his wife. For me, this chapter underscored the monumental lie that the system is based on: that deportation (or "removal," which is the technical, more sanitized term) does not constitute punishment--certainly not punishment for a crime for which immigrants would be entitled to legal representation. (No. Indeed, immigrants without status are "criminals" not for the purposes of determining whether they are entitled to legal representation but ONLY when Lou Dobbs and his lemmings are clanging to get them all summarily deported without due process. Ugh. Never mind the fact that many immigration violations are just civil offenses. Ugh. Anyway.)

The protagonist of this story got his happy ending, at long last, and I am glad for him. But his story is the rare exception. Many others do not make it through the monstrosity that is our country's immigration system. This book makes a compelling attempt to demonstrate why and to make the case for reform.

[Odin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true story of a Kenyan refugee’s (and brief TU law student's) triumphs and tribulations, as he tries to do the right things in life. The after all the beating and torture that he has gone through in one of his main antagonists turns out to be the US Immigration Agency. He will come lecture at his old TU campus this November 4th at six o'clock in the Price Turpen Courtroom. This event is so special that a con law class will get a participation point for attending and writing a paragraph about the event!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister was one of the Peace Corps volunteers that brought the author to the US. I remember her telling us about it in letters along the way, but in reading the book I discovered there was so much more to the story. It is a fast read only because you can't put the book down once you start.

[Mr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Ngaruri Kenney's book is an intriguing read (especially in light of current immigration policy and what has been happening with the Justice Department trying to expedite immigration cases). "Asylum Denied" takes readers through Kenney's journey to get protected status due to political persecution in his home country.

While the book provides a unique insight into the procedural dealings with multiple governments, I found myself questioning whether Kenney was a completely reliable narrator (for reasons I won't detail explicitly). It seems Kenney postures himself as the victim in every scenario he encounters. Although he is undoubtedly a victim in several circumstances, there appears to be an omission of detail in many instances.

The book is well worth the time to read it, if only to gain a better understanding of the complexities of immigration in the United States of America.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story of perseverance in the face of absolute rejection by the United States government and the love and friendship of its people. David Ngaruri was one of the few that had the fight and resources (University law program) to make it through the never ending hurdles of becoming an American citizen by claiming that returning to his home country was a threat to his life.

[Katie O · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can definitely tell the parts where Kenney stops writing and his lawyer inserts long, long pages of court cases and legal jargon. I can see WHY they decided to include this information, but it makes the book read very choppily.

[Tatum]

read for class

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible! This is an autobiography which follows the author's childhood in Kenya up through his attempts to stay in the US. I can hardly believe that this one man suffered so many of most egregious errors of the immigration system. The story is riveting and provides a very accessible basic education in US law governing asylum and several other aspects of immigration. Even better (or worse) it exposes the serious consequences of our system's failures. You must read this book.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Absolutely Fantastic.

This book is heart-wrenching. Particularly coming from the view of an immigration advocate - it breaks my heart to see the US government and the US immigration system fail to protect someone who very clearly would be in danger if returned to his home country - someone that has proven that he would be a productive member of the US society. The immigration system is broken and this case proves just that.

[Mary Whisner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. it is coauthored by an asylum applicant and the law professor whose clinic unsuccessfully represented him through his original application and appeals.

Most of fhe narrative is David Ngaruri Kenney's life story, from childhood to imprisonment in Kenya because he'd led a protest of tea growers to his life in America. The professor, Phillip Schrag, concludes the book with an appendix demonstrating the huge inconsistencies in the treatment of asylum applicants.

[Kyla P'an · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I personally know the hero/co-author of this book, it is even more remarkable to read the twist and tales of fate that lead him from exile in Kenya to the remarkable life he has made for himself here in the US. A fascinating insight into DNS operations and the immigration/asylum process here in our country.

[Scott Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an attorney who happens to be good friends with the author, and has also experienced the unbelievable thrill of winning an asylum case. David is a gentle soul, and his personal account is beyond question the most inspiring journet as well as the most resonant indictment of the calluses infecting our immigration system. An absolute must-read.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was "recommended" reading for incoming law students at Georgetown, and I understand why as it is motivational regarding the work of Georgetown's clinic and students. But aside from that, it's a good combination of the story of one man's life and successes and struggles and the U.S. immigration system in all of its failings.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tracks a compelling story of a refugee who should have, but did not, qualified for asylum.

It's written by a couple of lawyers, so the writing isn't great, but I otherwise recommend it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an illuminating and disturbing account of the journey of an asylum seeker through the US immigration system. A compelling argument for immigration reform if I ever heard one! Ngaruri Kenney has a compelling story and seems to be a remarkable individual.

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book provides an interesting overview of the arbitrary process by which one seeks asylum in the United States. Unfortunately, the writing is dry and I never felt connected with the individual who sought asylum.

[Juhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating journey through the asylum process and its horrors. reveals how disfunctional the immigration and asylum systems are and how difficult life can be without the lucky happenstance of being born in a particular country...

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Will (probably) be made into a movie someday and (should) also change immigration law as we know it.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the clarity of writing of this book. Amazing story.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So frustrating and upsetting. Clearly illustrates that we have an incredibly flawed immigration system in need of dire reform....like much of our political system.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and compelling read showing just how aribtrary and exasperating the asylum procedures in our country can be.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, my heart went out to this poor man

[Ed Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book six stars, except that Philip Schrag was involved in its production. That insane little man, yo. CALS4LYFE.

[Amanda Wehrman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating case, and a great introduction to the rigorous, complex system of immigration courts in the United States.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of courage and resiliance and how unfair the U.S. system is towards immigrants.