Former Syracuse Basketball Player John Bol Ajak to Be Deported

Ajak, who played three seasons for the Orange, will be sent back to South Sudan after over a month in ICE custody.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:53pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game or match broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, with a sense of motion and energy.The complex immigration challenges faced by international student-athletes like John Bol Ajak are deconstructed into an abstract, cubist-inspired illustration.Indianapolis Today

John Bol Ajak, a former basketball player for Syracuse University, will be deported to his native South Sudan after spending more than a month in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The 26-year-old Ajak, who played for the Orange from 2020-2023, agreed to a voluntary deportation order during a virtual hearing before an immigration judge.

Why it matters

Ajak's case highlights the challenges faced by international student-athletes who overstay their visas after completing their college careers. His deportation raises questions about the support systems in place for foreign-born players transitioning out of NCAA athletics.

The details

During the hearing, Ajak said he wanted to return to his hometown of Pawuoi Payam in Twic East County, South Sudan, where his parents and most of his family live. He was living with a relative when he was taken into ICE custody on February 18 after being released from jail on pretrial release. Ajak had been arrested several times since December for charges including resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and criminal trespass.

  • Ajak played for Syracuse from 2020 to 2023.
  • Ajak's visa expired in 2023 after he graduated from Syracuse University.
  • Ajak was taken into ICE custody on February 18, 2026.

The players

John Bol Ajak

A 26-year-old former basketball player for Syracuse University who will be deported to his native South Sudan after spending over a month in ICE custody.

Jim Boeheim

The former head coach of the Syracuse University men's basketball team, under whom Ajak played for three seasons from 2020 to 2023.

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What they’re saying

“'If this is how I'm leaving, I never want to step foot in this country again.'”

— John Bol Ajak

What’s next

Ajak will be deported to South Sudan in the coming days or weeks, though an exact timeline is unclear.

The takeaway

Ajak's case highlights the complex immigration challenges faced by international student-athletes in the U.S. as they transition out of college sports and attempt to remain in the country. His deportation raises broader questions about the support systems and policies in place to help foreign-born players navigate the visa process after their NCAA careers end.