SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The lawyer for a Savannah State University (SSU) baseball player, aged 22, recently arrested by ICE, described the incident on Thursday as a result of a “minor bureaucratic issue.”
According to his attorney, John Jeha, Johan Sandoval arrived in the U.S. in 2022 on an F-1 student visa, after earning an associate degree at Bryant and Stratton College in upstate New York.
Jeha explained that a problem with Sandoval’s student visa paperwork emerged when he made the transfer to SSU.
“It’s an issue concerning the school’s transfer paperwork related to SEVIS [Student Exchange Visitor Information System], a federal system for interaction with universities,” Jeha noted. “This federal law assigns responsibility to school officials rather than students.”
Sandoval’s attorney said the baseball player learned of the issue for the first time when ICE detained him and he believed up until that moment that he had provided all of the correct documentation to both schools.
The attorney went on and said, “He was repeatedly assured that his paperwork had been completely correct,” and he believes if there was an issue with the student VISA it did not have to result in detention. He called it “overkill,” “dramatic” and “catastrophic.”
Jeha said Sandoval is currently being detained in a facility in Western New York over four hours away from where he was arrested and friends and family. Jeha said he spoke with him Wednesday.
“He was not mad. He was not upset,” said Jeha. “…he was hopeful that because he had done nothing wrong, we would be able to resolve this.”
According to an ICE spokesperson, Sandoval tried to flee on foot during the arrest in New York on July 3. Jeha said this was not an accurate characterization of what occurred.
“He did not attempt to evade the law,” Jeha told . “He did not attempt to evade ICE. And he did not engage in any conduct suggesting that he was trying to escape. Most importantly, his actions before and out after the encounter speak for themselves. He presented his immigration documents. He cooperated with the agents, and he’s continued to participate in the legal process.”
He continued, “Johann is, again, a full-time college student with no criminal history. He’s on a full athletic scholarship, a fiancée who’s a U.S. citizen and only one year remaining before graduation. Those are not the circumstances of someone trying to run away from the process. They are the circumstances of someone who has every incentive to resolve his case through the legal system.”
Efforts to get Sandoval out of detainment
Jeha said himself and Sandoval’s family are grateful to SSU who they said has submitted a new I-20 document which will hopefully get Sandoval his F-1 reinstated.
Read SSU’s most recent statement below:
“As we approach one week since the detention of Savannah State University student Johan Sandoval, we want our students, employees, alumni, and friends to know that we remain in close contact with Johan’s family and legal counsel.
We are grateful to share that Johan is in good spirits and deeply appreciative of the prayers, messages of encouragement, and unwavering support he has received from Tiger Nation and the broader community.
As this remains an active legal matter, we are hopeful for a positive resolution and will share updates as we are able.
To everyone who has reached out, offered words of encouragement, and kept Johan and his family in your thoughts, thank you. Your compassion has been a powerful reminder of what it means to be part of Tiger Nation.”
In the meantime, Jeha has reached out to ICE to either be released on his own accord or grant him bond. Because he said they have not heard back, they have also completed a formal motion for Sandoval’s release with immigration court.
Jeha said he hopes they can clear up everything before Sandoval is due back in Georgia for the start of baseball season.
“Detaining him serves no purpose,” his attorney said. “He should be released so he can finish his degree and move on with his life.
contacted Bryant Stratton College for comment on the alleged paperwork issue Thursday, but we have not received a response as of publication.
SSU provided this statement to :
“The University has fully cooperated with counsel and has provided Johan’s attorney with all requested documents to support his legal representation and assist in his case.”