The agency cited the Laken Riley Act, which mandates detention for undocumented immigrants with certain offenses.
A Rugby Star Turned Deportation Case
Adongo’s path to the NFL was unconventional. A rugby player from Nairobi, he was signed by the Colts in 2013 as part of the league’s international development efforts. He played five games over two seasons, primarily on special teams, before being waived in 2015. His time with the team was marked by limited on-field impact, with reports of struggles adapting to American football. After his career ended, Adongo remained in the U.S. past his visa expiration in 2016, setting off a years-long legal battle.
Court records reveal Adongo faced repeated legal issues. In 2020, he was convicted of criminal mischief with damage and served six months in county jail. Multiple arrests for charges like intimidation and disorderly conduct were documented, though some were dismissed. His defense team attributed his legal problems to mental health issues, citing a 2020 medical report describing him as acutely psychotic with traumatic brain injury.
A mental health social worker speculated he may have suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), though this could not be confirmed during his lifetime.
The Laken Riley Act and ICE’s Justification
Adongo’s case highlights tensions over the Laken Riley Act, which critics argue undermines due process for immigrants accused of but not convicted of certain offenses. The law has been used to expedite deportations, with ICE noting that nearly 70% of its arrests involve undocumented individuals charged or convicted of crimes. Adongo’s removal came months after a March 2026 immigration judge ordered his deportation, with ICE acting swiftly to enforce the ruling.
Family and Legal Challenges
Adongo’s mother, Betty Adongo, sought court intervention for his mental health, but no definitive medical link between his injuries and his legal issues was established. His defense team argued that his arrests stemmed from untreated mental illness, though ICE emphasized his criminal history.
Legal representatives for Adongo did not respond to requests for comment, and his current whereabouts in Kenya remain unclear. The case underscores the intersection of immigration enforcement and criminal justice, with Adongo’s story serving as a high-profile example of how the Laken Riley Act is applied. His deportation follows a broader trend of increased ICE actions under the law, which has drawn both support from law enforcement and criticism from advocacy groups.
Adongo’s deportation marks the conclusion of a decade-long legal saga, but it also raises questions about the broader implications of the Laken Riley Act. With over 3 million undocumented immigrants removed since 2025, the law’s impact on deportations is significant. Future cases will likely depend on how courts interpret its provisions and whether similar high-profile deportations occur. For now, Adongo’s story remains a stark example of the complexities surrounding immigration, criminal justice, and the NFL’s international outreach efforts.
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