Former Syracuse Basketball Player Facing Deportation

A former Syracuse basketball player is set to be deported to Sudan after spending several weeks in ICE custody. John Bol Ajak was taken into custody on February 18 and, just recently, agreed to a deportation order.

As reported, Ajak had the option to leave voluntarily or face an order of deportation, and he opted for the latter. While the U.S. government will cover the costs associated with his deportation, choosing voluntary departure could have allowed him future immigration status.

“If I leave like this, I don’t want to set foot in this country again,” Ajak expressed, indicating a strong sentiment about his situation.

Held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pennsylvania, Ajak had a history of arrests leading up to his detention, citing charges like trespassing and resisting arrest. He acknowledged that he was in the country illegally after his F-1 student visa expired, which also meant he could no longer attend the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Ajak first came to the United States from Kenya back in 2014, hoping to pursue educational and basketball opportunities. He played for the Syracuse Orange under coach Jim Boeheim from 2020 to 2023.

Standing at 6-foot-10 and weighing 215 pounds, Ajak participated in 35 games, accumulating 234 total minutes on the court and recording 21 points, 43 rebounds, and 26 assists throughout his college career.

Originally from South Sudan, Ajak and his family fled to Kenya during the civil war when he was just a child.