Savannah State Baseball Star Johan Sandoval Detained by ICE Weeks After MVP Honor

Just weeks after earning Most Valuable Player honors at the 2026 HBCU Baseball All-Star Game, Savannah State University standout Johan Sandoval was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to reporting from WSAV and statements from his family.

The Dominican Republic native and international student was taken into custody on Friday, creating uncertainty around one of HBCU baseball’s brightest emerging stars. As of July 6, federal officials had not publicly released details explaining the circumstances of his detention.

University President Working Toward Resolution

Savannah State President Dr. Jermaine Whirl is working with Sandoval’s family and an immigration attorney to secure his release, according to One SSU, a community advocacy organization supporting the university. When contacted by WSAV, a university spokesperson declined to discuss the student’s status, citing federal privacy laws and university policy.

Sandoval’s family has launched a public fundraiser seeking assistance with legal representation, potential immigration bond expenses, court costs, and other related needs.

Johan is more than a student-athlete.



He is a son, a brother, a mentor, and someone who has dedicated himself to becoming the first generation in our family to achieve many of his dreams through higher education.

Those words from his sister, Melissa Sandoval Rodriguez, capture what this moment means for one family’s pursuit of the American dream through HBCU education.

From Santo Domingo to SIAC Standout

Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Sandoval transferred to Savannah State after beginning his collegiate career at Bryant & Stratton College in New York. He quickly emerged as one of the SIAC’s most productive players, earning All-SIAC honors in both 2025 and 2026.

One of his signature moments came during the SIAC Tournament, when he delivered a go-ahead two-run home run against Morehouse to help Savannah State advance. He also stepped up in key moments during Savannah State’s upset of the No. 1 team in the country.

Only weeks after his tournament heroics, Sandoval represented the Tigers at the HBCU Baseball All-Star Game in Kannapolis, North Carolina, where he was named the event’s Most Valuable Player.

Questions Remain Unanswered

Neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security has publicly explained why Sandoval was taken into custody, and no public court filings detailing his case had been released as of July 6. An ICE spokesperson told the Savannah Morning News that detainees arrested during the holiday may not immediately appear in the agency’s online detainee locator system, but provided no additional information.

For now, the public record consists primarily of statements from Sandoval’s family, community advocates, and university officials acknowledging that efforts are underway to secure his release. For Savannah State and the HBCU community, the story has quickly shifted from celebrating one of the sport’s brightest stars to waiting for answers about what comes next.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.