Visa Overstay Consequences: Ex-NFL Player Deported in 2026
You overstayed your visa years ago and have been living quietly in the US ever since — no green card, no status, just hoping nothing happens. The case of Daniel Ogama Adongo, a former Indianapolis Colts linebacker from Kenya, shows how that story can end. ICE removed him from the US in June 2026, more than nine years after his visa expired.
Adongo, 37, came to the US as a rugby recruit and played for the Colts for two seasons, from 2013 to 2015. When his NFL career ended, so did his legal status. His visa expired in 2016, but he stayed. Over the next nine years, Indiana law enforcement arrested him multiple times for felony intimidation, battery, and disorderly conduct. In 2020, he was convicted of criminal mischief with damage and sentenced to 364 days in jail.
How the removal happened
His most recent criminal charges fell under the Laken Riley Act, a federal law signed by President Trump on January 29, 2025. That law requires immigration authorities to detain — without bond — undocumented immigrants charged with certain crimes. A Department of Justice immigration judge ordered Adongo removed on March 23, 2026. ICE Chicago carried out that order on June 20, 2026. ICE Chicago Assistant Field Office Director Douglas Thompson said: "This dangerous individual was clearly a threat to the community, which is now safer since he's been removed."
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
ICE noted that nearly 70% of its arrests in the current enforcement period involve people charged or convicted of a crime in the US. The agency has repeatedly stated that no one is exempt from enforcement — including former professional athletes. Adongo's case is a direct example of that policy in action.
What this means if you overstayed a visa
A visa overstay — even one that happened years ago — does not disappear. It stays on your immigration record. If you are later arrested, even for a minor offense, that overstay can trigger removal proceedings. Under the Laken Riley Act, certain criminal charges now require mandatory detention with no bond hearing. That means no chance to fight your case from outside a detention facility.
What to do
- If you overstayed a visa, talk to an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. Some people qualify for relief — such as applying for a green card through a family member or employer — even after years of overstay.
- If you are in removal proceedings (meaning an immigration judge has been assigned to your case), you have the right to appear in court and present a defense. Missing your hearing almost always results in an automatic removal order.
- If ICE detains you, you or your family can contact an immigration attorney immediately. In some cases, a lawyer can file an emergency motion or request a stay of deportation (Form I-246, which carries a filing fee of $155).
- Do not assume that a long time without contact from immigration authorities means you are safe. ICE can act on old overstay records at any time, especially if a criminal charge brings you to their attention.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Appealing to the BIA”.
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Under the Laken Riley Act, a criminal charge — not just a conviction — can now trigger mandatory detention without bond for undocumented immigrants. That means if you are arrested, even for a misdemeanor, you could be transferred to ICE custody before your criminal case is resolved. Anyone with an unresolved immigration status and any prior contact with law enforcement should consult an immigration attorney now, not after an arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE deport me if I overstayed my visa years ago but have no criminal record?
Yes. A visa overstay makes you removable under US immigration law regardless of how long ago it happened. Without a criminal record, you are a lower enforcement priority under current ICE guidelines — but that can change, and there are no guarantees.
What is the Laken Riley Act and how does it affect me?
The Laken Riley Act, signed into law on January 29, 2025, requires immigration authorities to detain — without bond — undocumented immigrants who are charged with certain crimes, including theft-related offenses and violent crimes. If you are arrested and undocumented, you could be held in ICE custody with no bond hearing while your case is decided.
What happens after an immigration judge orders removal?
Once a removal order is issued, ICE can carry it out. You have 30 days to appeal the order to the Board of Immigration Appeals. If you miss that window, the order becomes final. In urgent cases, a lawyer may file Form I-246 to request a stay of deportation, which costs $155 to file.
Does being famous or having a professional career protect you from deportation?
No. As the Adongo case shows, ICE enforces removal orders regardless of a person's public profile or past career. ICE has stated explicitly that former professional athletes are held to the same standard as anyone else.