Alabama Football Referee Deported to Mexico

Alfonso 'Fonzie' Andrade faced deportation after learning he wasn't a U.S. citizen in his teens.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:39am

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Alfonso 'Fonzie' Andrade, a longtime football referee in Blount County, Alabama, was forced to leave the U.S. and move to Mexico after authorities discovered he was not a U.S. citizen. Andrade, who spent nearly his entire life in Alabama, said he only learned he wasn't a citizen in his teens and had built a life and family in the state.

Why it matters

Andrade's case highlights the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives, as well as the impact deportation can have on individuals who are deeply rooted in their local communities.

The details

Authorities said Andrade had made some mistakes in the past, though the details of those issues were not specified. Despite his long history in Alabama, Andrade was ultimately forced to leave the country and move to Mexico, a place he said he loves but where he did not grow up.

  • Andrade learned he was not a U.S. citizen in his teens.
  • Andrade was recently deported from the U.S. and forced to move to Mexico.

The players

Alfonso 'Fonzie' Andrade

A longtime football referee in Blount County, Alabama who was deported to Mexico after authorities discovered he was not a U.S. citizen.

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What they’re saying

“I love my Mexican culture, but at the end of the day, no disrespect to nobody. America, Alabama is where I grew up.”

— Alfonso 'Fonzie' Andrade

The takeaway

Andrade's case highlights the complex issues surrounding immigration and the impact deportation can have on individuals who have built their lives in the U.S., even if they lack formal citizenship status.