Administrative Errors Lead to Immigration Detention of Savannah State Baseball Player
Daneen Khan, The Current
July 9, 2026
An attorney representing 22-year-old Johan Sandoval has revealed that an administrative error between a New York university and Savannah State University resulted in the wrongful detention of the Dominican baseball player by federal immigration authorities last week. Attorney John Jeha confirmed to The Current GA that Sandoval’s student visa was invalid when agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) located him in New York last Friday.
Details surrounding the extent of responsibility held by the two educational institutions involved remain murky. Jeha, who works with the Syracuse-based firm Harris Beach Martha, termed the situation a “bureaucratic error with catastrophic consequences.” The response from Bryant & Stratton College, where Sandoval initially enrolled upon arriving in the U.S. in 2022, has been notably absent. The college declined to comment on whether they had properly forwarded essential documents, such as the Form I-20 required of international students, citing privacy regulations.
Directly related, Jolin Keavy, director of Savannah State University’s Center for International Education, also refrained from disclosing any insights regarding Sandoval’s Form I-20. However, university officials have indicated their commitment to confidentiality laws. Jeha noted that Savannah State has issued a new I-20 for Sandoval, a development his legal team believes will facilitate his fight against deportation from an ICE processing facility approximately 40 miles from downtown Buffalo, New York.
Prior to his detention, Sandoval was a full-time student at Savannah State University and an integral member of the Tigers baseball team, receiving accolades as the Most Valuable Player in this summer’s HBCU All-Star Game. Jeha reported that Sandoval had been unaware of any issues regarding his immigration status.
Details of the Arrest
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has yet to clarify the motives behind ICE’s decision to apprehend Sandoval during this summer, considering the apparent long-standing visa violation. According to LinkedIn, Sandoval’s girlfriend, Adriana Wade, stated that he has consistently spent every semester break with his family since his enrollment at Savannah State University in January 2025.
Jeha expressed uncertainty about why ICE chose to detain Sandoval in New York rather than Savannah but emphasized that Sandoval was caught completely off guard. Wade described the arrest as a chaotic incident, stating that when ICE agents approached them, they yelled aggressively and damaged her phone in their frustration. A spokesperson for DHS indicated that Sandoval allegedly attempted to flee but Jeha clarified that Sandoval merely went inside to retrieve his passport, as he had lost his Georgia identification during the arrest.
A Case of Bureaucratic Oversight
After securing a full scholarship, Sandoval transitioned from Bryant & Stratton College to Savannah State University, where he is pursuing a business administration degree and making a name for himself in collegiate baseball. Both international students and institutions must manage a variety of paperwork, including obtaining the Certificate of Nonimmigrant Student Status, or Form I-20, which ensures compliance with student visa requirements.
According to Jeha, Sandoval’s Form I-20 was incorrectly terminated at Bryant & Stratton and not properly reinstated by Savannah, rendering his student visa invalid. Savannah State University has communicated that it remains engaged with both Sandoval’s family and attorney throughout the ongoing legal matters, expressing hopes for a positive resolution.
Community Support and Next Steps
On Monday evening, a rally in support of Sandoval drew around a dozen Savannah State alumni and community members. Attendees demonstrated with anti-ICE placards, and honking cars from passersby echoed their calls for Sandoval’s release. Lauren Nowak, president of the local chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, organized the rally to publicly support Sandoval, stating, “He shouldn’t be locked up. He should be playing baseball this fall.”
As of Thursday, Sandoval remained detained at the Buffalo Services Processing Center in Batavia, New York. Jeha remains optimistic that the case can be resolved successfully, emphasizing that the immigration system has protocols in place to rectify such administrative errors. He stated, “He is not a threat to public safety. This is a student visa compliance issue, and there’s a better way to handle this situation.”
The next step for Sandoval’s legal team involves requesting a bail redetermination hearing with an immigration judge. If granted bail, Sandoval would be required to attend further hearings to contest his deportation. A GoFundMe campaign initiated by Sandoval’s sister has already raised over $33,000, aimed at covering potential bond costs and necessary legal fees, highlighting the significant community support surrounding his case.
Former teammate Noah Brown has expressed concern over Sandoval’s well-being, noting that the team is committed to raising awareness about his situation. “We’re doing everything we can to help him,” he remarked, emphasizing the collective effort of the baseball community.
