Slava Voynov Deportation Reportedly Sought by US Immigration Officials

Officials from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement are reportedly looking to deport Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov.  

Virginia Kice, communications director for ICE's western region, told Russian news agency TASS that Voynov is in the process of potential deportation following a "a comprehensive review of the case."

"As with anyone who's facing deportation, he'll be afforded due process and the immigration court will ultimately determine whether he'll be subject to removal from the U.S.," Kice said.

ICE officials formally placed Voynov in custody last week. He was recently released from jail following a 90-day sentence for domestic violence, a charge to which he pleaded no-contest. Sports law professor Michael McCann explained how the plea could affect Voynov's status in the United States, per Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times: "A no contest plea, especially if the defendant admits damaging facts, can effectively be treated by immigration officials as a guilty plea. It could be a complicated road ahead."

The NHL had suspended him indefinitely last October after his arrest, and the Kings handed down a suspension of their own in June.