The United States has deported former Kenyan NFL player Daniel Adongo after immigration authorities accused him of overstaying his visa and cited his criminal record.
The deportation marks the end of a years-long immigration case that followed several arrests and a criminal conviction in Indiana.
US officials said Adongo remained in the country illegally after his visa expired in 2016, insisting that immigration laws apply equally to everyone, including former professional athletes.
US Deports Former Kenyan NFL Star Daniel Adongo Following Immigration Court Order ¶
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that Daniel Adongo, 37, was deported to Kenya on June 20, 2026, after an immigration judge ordered his removal in March.
According to ICE, Adongo overstayed his visa after his professional football career with the Indianapolis Colts ended in 2015. His visa expired in 2016, but he remained in the United States without lawful immigration status.
Authorities said the deportation followed a Department of Justice immigration court ruling issued on March 23, 2026.
Criminal Conviction and Multiple Arrests Strengthened Deportation Case ¶
US authorities said Adongo's deportation was not based solely on his visa overstay.
According to ICE, he had several encounters with law enforcement in Indiana over the years, including arrests on allegations of felony intimidation, battery and disorderly conduct.
The agency also said Adongo was convicted of criminal mischief involving property damage in 2020 and received a sentence of 364 days in jail.
Officials added that his latest criminal charges placed him under the provisions of the Laken Riley Act, a federal law signed in January 2025 that expanded mandatory detention requirements for certain non-citizens accused of specified offences.
US Says Immigration Laws Apply to Everyone Equally ¶
Following the immigration judge's ruling, ICE removed Adongo from the United States on June 20.
US authorities described him as a public safety concern and stressed that professional status does not exempt anyone from immigration enforcement.
Douglas Thompson, Assistant Field Office Director at ICE Chicago, said immigration laws are enforced equally against all individuals, including former professional athletes.
Timeline of Daniel Adongo's Immigration Case ¶
Event Date NFL career ends 2015 Visa expires 2016 Convicted of criminal mischief 2020 Immigration judge orders removal March 23, 2026 Deported to Kenya June 20, 2026
The deportation highlights the Trump administration's continued enforcement of immigration laws against individuals who overstay visas or face criminal convictions, regardless of their public profile or professional achievements.
