Former Colts Linebacker Daniel Adongo Deported by ICE After Criminal Convictions and Visa Overstay

Daniel Ogama Adongo, 37, the first Kenyan to play in the NFL, was deported from the United States on June 20 after a Department of Justice immigration judge issued a removal order on March 23, officials said.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported that Adongo remained in the U.S. after his visa expired in 2016, a year after the Indianapolis Colts released him. ICE Chicago Assistant Field Office Director Douglas Thompson said the agency viewed Adongo as a threat to public safety: "This dangerous individual was clearly a threat to the community, which is now safer since he's been removed. Those who violate immigration law are held equally accountable, including former professional athletes."

Legal Troubles and Removal

Federal authorities said Adongo faced multiple arrests in Indiana over roughly nine years, with allegations that included felony intimidation, battery and disorderly conduct. In 2020 he was convicted of criminal mischief with damage and sentenced to 364 days in jail. ICE also noted that his most recent charges fell under the Laken Riley Act — a law signed on January 29, 2025, that mandates detention without bond for certain convictions by undocumented immigrants while removal proceedings continue.

Timeline: Visa expired in 2016 → Removal order issued March 23 → Deportation carried out June 20.

Career Background

Before his immigration and criminal issues, Adongo had a notable international sporting career. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, he attended Strathmore School and moved to South Africa in 2007 to join the Natal Sharks academy, advancing through Under‑19 and Under‑21 levels. He made his Vodacom Cup debut for the Sharks in 2011, later moved to New Zealand to play for Counties Manukau under Tana Umaga, and in 2013 signed with the Southern Kings — becoming the first Kenyan to play in Super Rugby.

Adongo's rugby performances attracted the attention of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, who signed him to a two‑year contract in 2013 after then‑general manager Ryan Grigson reached out. He spent two seasons (2013–2015) primarily on special teams, logging about 100 special‑teams snaps before his release in 2015. ESPN reported the release followed a police response to a home he shared with a woman; officers were summoned after a text for help, though the woman later declined medical assistance and could not explain the message.

Agency Statement and Wider Context

In announcing the removal, ICE framed the case within broader enforcement statistics, saying nearly 70% of its arrests involve individuals charged with or convicted of crimes in the United States and asserting that more than 3 million people have been removed overall. The agency emphasized that immigration laws apply to all individuals regardless of public profile. Fox News reported that Adongo could not be reached immediately for comment following his deportation.

Note: This article summarizes official statements and public records; some details about individual cases are subject to legal privacy rules and ongoing documentation.