Pretoria, South Africa — Daniel Adongo, the former Kenyan National Football League (NFL) player and rugby star, was deported from the United States on June 20, 2026.
The 37-year-old was removed by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following an immigration judge’s order in March, stemming from an expired visa and a criminal conviction.
Adongo, who transitioned from rugby to American football, made history as the first Kenyan to sign with an NFL team. He played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2013 to 2015, but his stay in the U. S.
Was marred by legal troubles. His visa expired in 2016, and he remained in the country, leading to multiple arrests over the following years. His criminal record included a 2020 conviction for criminal mischief involving property damage, for which he served 364 days in jail.
ICE officials cited the Laken Riley Act, signed by former President Donald Trump, as the basis for detaining Adongo without bond.
The law mandates detention for undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of certain crimes. ICE described Adongo as a “dangerous individual “and a threat to the community, contributing to the decision to remove him from the United States. Prior to his NFL career, Adongo attended the University of Pretoria and played for South Africa’s Sharks at the youth level.
He also represented teams in South Africa and New Zealand before his NFL opportunity. His deportation has sparked discussions about the challenges international athletes face in the U. S.
And the complexities of immigration laws. Adongo’s case joins others of high-profile African-born individuals facing immigration enforcement in the U. S.
Including Senegalese social media star Khaby Lame, who was detained but permitted to leave the country voluntarily.
As Adongo’s case concludes, it serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of adhering to immigration laws and the potential consequences for those who do not.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Source: Olamilekan Okebiorun
