Here's a major development. Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov a citizen of Russia was taken into custody by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports -- Voynov, 25, was taken into custody after finishing a short jail sentence stemming from his no contest plea to a domestic violence charge that resulted from an altercation with his wife, Marta Varlamova, in October. The Los Angeles Times first reported the news Thursday. Voynov has been under suspension by the NHL since his arrest.Voynov will eventually have his day in immigration court. Most immigration courts has a big case backlog and don't expect him to get a speedy trial. It could take years to get to the court room.
"The individual came into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody Sept. 2 following his release by local authorities," said Lori Haley, ICE's information officer, in a statement. "He will remain in ICE custody pending a hearing before an immigration judge. Mr. Voynov entered the U.S. in 2013 on a temporary visa for internationally recognized athletes."
It's unknown if the immigration judge will deport him or not. Usually, subjects "aren't" deported for misdemeanors. But who knows what will happen in today's immigration world. Voynov could apply for relief from an immigration judge and the courts due have discretion when determining a subject's case. But it's not like he's in great harm if he gets deported back to Russia.
Voynov will eventually have his day in immigration court, who knows how long process will take. It's unknown if this court will deport him or not. Now, Voynov could also apply for relief from an immigration judge. As we have seen in recent history, the courts can and do use discretion in deportation hearings. In many cases, US immigration courts only deport criminal aliens and violent offenders.
