Vincent Jobo, a South African citizen and former professional rugby player, has been detained in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Texas for nearly two years, trapped in legal limbo due to the South African government’s inability to confirm his identity. The prolonged detention highlights challenges in international cooperation on immigration cases.
Jobo, who initially entered the U.S. on a visa to play rugby for the Austin Blacks and New Orleans Gold, saw his visa lapse in 2019 after reportedly leaving his team, according to court documents. He continued living in Austin until 2023, when he was arrested in Kinney County on human smuggling charges, which were later dismissed by the county clerk’s office. Following his arrest, ICE took Jobo into custody at the Pearsall Detention Center near San Antonio, because of his immigration status.
Despite applying for asylum in July 2024, Jobo’s application was denied, and a judge ordered his deportation in October. However, the deportation process has stalled because the South African government has been unable to match Jobo’s fingerprints or confirm his identity, leaving both U.S. and South African authorities at an impasse.
The Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) filed a writ of habeas corpus on Jobo’s behalf, arguing that his prolonged detention without progress toward deportation or release is unjust. “Vincent’s case is an example of the limbo that we’ve trapped immigrants in,” said TCRP Senior Supervising Attorney Daniel Hatoum.
Austin-based immigration attorney Vi Nanthaveth noted that Jobo may have grounds to request release under supervision, provided he can demonstrate he is not a danger to society and that his detention is indefinite without cause. “If everything alleged in the writ is correct, a fair judge should rule positively,” Nanthaveth said. “But it depends on whether the government has additional facts to justify continued detention.”
The South African government’s failure to identify Jobo uncovers broader issues in coordinating deportations, particularly when foreign governments lack the resources or systems to verify their citizens’ identities. This case echoes similar instances, such as a 2016 report of a South African detainee in Canada whose identity could not be confirmed, leaving him in limbo after release.
Jobo remains in detention, awaiting clarity from two governments unable to resolve his status.
THV11: South African rugby player has been held in ICE detention in Texas for nearly 2 years
The Globe and Mail: Freed from Canadian detention, South African man left in limbo
Leave a Reply