The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported former NFL linebacker Daniel Ogama Adongo, a 37-year-old Kenyan national, on Saturday. Adongo had lived in the United States for nearly ten years with an expired visa and had accumulated a criminal record, including a felony conviction.
A report from Fox News Digital revealed that an immigration judge from the Department of Justice issued the deportation order in March of this year, which was carried out on June 20 from Chicago, where Adongo had been residing.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the deportation on social media this Saturday.
From Rugby to the NFL
Adongo played as a linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts between 2013 and 2015, making history as the first Kenyan to join the NFL after transitioning from professional rugby in South Africa. He participated in five games over three seasons before his football career ended.
Legal Troubles and Expired Visa
One year after retiring, in 2016, Adongo overstayed his visa and continued to live in the country without legal status for almost a decade. His criminal record in the U.S. includes a 2020 conviction for property damage, resulting in a one-year jail sentence, along with arrests for felony intimidation, assault, and disorderly conduct.
ICE's Stand on Deportation
Douglas Thompson, assistant director of ICE's Chicago field office, stated decisively regarding the deportation, "This dangerous individual was clearly a threat to the community, which is now safer since his removal. Those who violate immigration laws are held accountable, including former professional athletes."
Impact of Trump's Immigration Policy
Adongo's case aligns with the immigration policy of the second Trump administration, which has set records for deportations since January 2025 and prioritized removing individuals with criminal backgrounds, regardless of their public profile or professional achievements.
Under the Laken Riley Law, signed by President Donald Trump in January 2025, immigrants with certain criminal convictions are detained without bail, expediting their deportation process.
The DHS also issued a statement highlighting that nearly 70% of ICE arrests involve immigrants with criminal charges or convictions in the U.S.
The DHS reported that over 3 million undocumented immigrants have been deported since the administration's inception, warning, "If you come to our country illegally, we will find you, arrest you, and deport you."
Questions About U.S. Immigration and Deportation Policies
What led to Daniel Adongo's deportation from the U.S.?
Daniel Adongo was deported due to living in the U.S. with an expired visa for nearly a decade and having a criminal record, including a felony conviction.
How does the Laken Riley Law affect undocumented immigrants?
The Laken Riley Law mandates that immigrants with certain criminal convictions are detained without bail, which speeds up their deportation process.
How many undocumented immigrants have been deported under the second Trump administration?
Over 3 million undocumented immigrants have been deported since the beginning of the second Trump administration.