A Voice from the Custody
Johan Sandoval, a 22‑year‑old student‑athlete from the Dominican Republic, came to the United States to pursue both his education and his love of baseball at Savannah State University. His routine was upended on July 3 when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stopped his car on the way to a gym session, leading to his arrest.
Detention Details
Sandoval says he cooperated fully with the officers, a version of events that diverges from the agency’s account, and after nearly two weeks in federal custody he was released on bond.
During his first two days in detention he was forced to sleep on the floor, adding to the strain of a visa that was terminated in April 2025 for alleged failure to meet requirements.
University Review and Legal Front
Savannah State University later conducted an internal review and concluded that the documentation cited by ICE was not supplied by Sandoval’s previous institution, raising questions about the basis of the detention.
Despite the setbacks, Sandoval was named MVP of the 2026 Minority Baseball Prospects HBCU All‑Star Game, and he now hopes to resume his studies and baseball career at Savannah State.
Looking Ahead
Family members and supporters have started a fundraising effort to cover his legal expenses, while Sandoval remains focused on clearing his name and returning to the field.