Former Syracuse Basketball Player John Bol Ajak Faces Deportation After ICE Custody
John Bol Ajak, a former Syracuse University basketball player, is set to be deported to Sudan after spending over a month in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Ajak, who came to the U.S. from Kenya in 2014, was taken into custody on February 18, 2026, after being released from jail on pretrial release. He had been arrested multiple times since December for charges including resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. During a virtual hearing, Ajak agreed to a voluntary deportation order, acknowledging that he overstayed his visa, which expired in 2023. Ajak expressed his desire to leave the U.S. quickly and return to his family in South Sudan, stating he does not fear for his safety there.