Visa Overstay Leads to Deportation: What It Means for You
ICE Chicago removed a former Indianapolis Colts linebacker to Kenya on June 20, 2026 — ten years after his visa expired. Daniel Ogama Adongo, 37, overstayed his visa in 2016 when his NFL career ended, then accumulated multiple criminal charges in Indiana. His case shows how a visa overstay, combined with any criminal record, can end in removal — no matter who you are.
Adongo played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2013 to 2015 after being recruited as a rugby player from Kenya. When his NFL career ended in 2015, his visa expired in 2016 — and he stayed. Over the next nine years, Indiana law enforcement arrested him multiple times for felony intimidation, battery, and disorderly conduct. In 2020, a court convicted him of criminal mischief with damage and sentenced him to 364 days in jail.
How the Laken Riley Act Changed His Case
His most recent charges triggered the Laken Riley Act — a federal law signed by President Trump on January 29, 2025. The law requires immigration authorities to detain, without bond, any undocumented person charged with certain crimes. A Department of Justice immigration judge ordered Adongo removed on March 23, 2026. ICE 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
This case is not just about one person. ICE reports that nearly 70% of its arrests in 2026 involve people charged or convicted of a crime in the US. But a visa overstay alone — even without any criminal record — can still lead to removal proceedings. The longer the overstay, the harder it becomes to fix your status later. A 10-year overstay, like Adongo's, triggers a permanent bar from returning to the US without special permission.
What to Do If You Have a Visa Overstay
- Talk to an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. A visa overstay starts a clock on serious bars to re-entry — the sooner you act, the more options you may have.
- If you receive a Notice to Appear (NTA) — the document that starts removal proceedings — do not miss your immigration court hearing. Missing it almost always results in an automatic removal order.
- If a removal order is issued against you, you have 30 days to file an appeal. After that window closes, you may still file a Motion to Reopen within 90 days, but the grounds are limited.
- If you are detained, ask about an I-246 (Stay of Deportation) or a bond hearing. The fee for an I-246 Stay of Deportation is $155 in 2026.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Deportation Defense”.
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A visa overstay combined with even a single criminal conviction dramatically narrows your options in immigration court. Under the Laken Riley Act, certain charges now trigger mandatory detention without bond — meaning you cannot wait to see how a criminal case resolves before addressing your immigration status. If you have an overstay and any pending charges, you need an immigration attorney and a criminal defense attorney working together before your next court date. Consult a licensed immigration lawyer immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I overstay my visa in the US?
Overstaying your visa makes you undocumented and puts you at risk of removal proceedings. If you overstay more than 180 days and then leave, you face a 3-year bar from returning. If you overstay more than one year, the bar is 10 years. A 10-year overstay like Adongo's can result in a permanent bar without special permission to return.
Can ICE deport me if I have a criminal charge but no conviction?
Yes. Under the Laken Riley Act, signed in January 2025, ICE can detain you without bond if you are charged — not just convicted — of certain crimes. A charge alone is enough to trigger mandatory detention in these cases.
How long do I have to appeal a removal order?
You have 30 days from the date of the removal order to file an appeal. If you miss that deadline, you may still file a Motion to Reopen within 90 days, but the reasons you can use are limited. Do not miss either deadline.
What is voluntary departure and how does it help?
Voluntary departure lets you leave the US on your own instead of being formally deported. This can protect your ability to apply for a visa or green card in the future. An immigration judge can grant up to 120 days for voluntary departure. Being formally deported, by contrast, can bar you from returning for years or permanently.