Savannah State baseball player detained by ICE; family seeks answers

The video above is our previous coverage of the story*

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A Savannah State University baseball player is being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Johan Sandoval, a second baseman for Savannah State, was detained by ICE on Friday, July 3. He had most recently been playing for a summer league in Albany.

Sandoval was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the United States in 2021 to play baseball and pursue a college education. He is the only one of his seven siblings without U.S. citizenship.

Visa issue cited, but details unclear

His sisters, Stacey and Melissa Sandoval, said the detention involved an issue with his student visa and his transfer to Savannah State.

“We don’t really have the full scope of where the lapse or what happened in regards to his transfers to the universities,” Stacey Sandoval said.

Stacey said the news was difficult for family members in the Dominican Republic as well.

“As far as for the relatives back in the Dominican Republic, it was devastating news for them to see everything come to a crashing halt in the way that it has — it was very jarring for them, it was unexpected,” she said.

Savannah State University expresses support

The family said support from Savannah State University provided some relief, including conversations with President Jermaine Whirl.

“He noted how much he respects Johan as a student-athlete, how proudly he has carried the Tigers on and off the field and how he is an important member of the community,” Melissa Sandoval said.

Savannah State released a statement on July 9 regarding Sandoval’s detention.

ICE responds

ICE said they arrested Johan Efrain Sandoval Rodriguez during a targeted enforcement operation on July 3 in Clifton Park, New York. They said he will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

“Sandoval Rodriguez first entered the U.S. on a nonimmigrant student visa in 2022. He subsequently failed to adhere to the requirements of his student visa, which was terminated in April 2025. As ICE officers executed the arrest of Sandoval-Rodriguez, he tried to flee on foot. ICE officers reacted with appropriate actions to complete the arrest without further incident,” shared ICE in a statement to WTOC.

During his arrest officials said Sandoval-Rodriguez tried to evade arrest by jumping out of a second story balcony and then climbing back up to the second-floor balcony.

ICE said Sandoval-Rodriguez legally entered the United States on January 21, 2023, in New York. His visa was revoked after ICE said he violated the terms of his visa.

Despite the uncertainty, his sisters said they remain hopeful.

“We still think, ‘This is still going to be a thing, he’s still going to go back to school’ — we’re still trying to be as optimistic as possible,” Stacey Sandoval said.

Stacey noted that baseball has been central to her brother’s life since childhood.

“Since he was a little boy, he always had a passion for baseball and that has always been his dream,” she said.

GoFundMe launched to cover legal costs

To help cover attorney fees and legal expenses, the family launched a GoFundMe. More than $12,000 has been donated.

Melissa Sandoval said her brother was emotional when he learned about the fundraising effort.

“He did choke up a little bit even when I was telling him, ‘This is what we’ve raised,’” she said.