Man Sentenced for Fargo Robbery Faces Possible Deportation

Nynnkpaw Banyee, who immigrated to the U.S. as a child refugee, was arrested by ICE after serving prison time for a 2017 felony robbery.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 1:47am

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Nynnkpaw Banyee, a man who immigrated to the U.S. as a child refugee and was sentenced to five years in prison for a 2017 felony robbery in Fargo, North Dakota, now faces possible deportation. After his release from state prison, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Banyee and subjected him to mandatory detention in a county jail in Minnesota.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex intersection of the criminal justice system and immigration enforcement, raising questions about the treatment of immigrants who commit crimes and the potential consequences they may face, even after serving their sentences.

The details

According to court documents, Banyee's robbery was classified as a Class B felony because he 'brandished a gun' and menaced others during the theft. Three years after his initial sentencing, the Department of Homeland Security arrested Banyee, charging him with authority to be deported, although he had previously been allowed to remain in the country as a lawful permanent resident.

  • In June 2018, Banyee was sentenced to five years in prison with one-year supervised probation for the 2017 felony robbery.
  • After his release from state prison, ICE arrested Banyee and subjected him to mandatory detention in a Minnesota county jail.
  • Three years after his initial sentencing, the Department of Homeland Security arrested Banyee and charged him with authority to be deported.

The players

Nynnkpaw Banyee

A man who immigrated to the U.S. as a child refugee in 2004 and became a lawful permanent resident one year later, was sentenced to five years in prison for a 2017 felony robbery in Fargo, North Dakota.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that arrested Banyee after his release from state prison and subjected him to mandatory detention in a county jail in Minnesota.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that arrested Banyee three years after his initial sentencing and charged him with authority to be deported.

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What’s next

The judge in Banyee's case will decide whether or not to allow his deportation to the Ivory Coast.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for a more comprehensive and humane approach to the treatment of immigrant offenders, balancing public safety concerns with the rights and rehabilitation of those who have already served their time in the criminal justice system.