Gambiaj.com – (Aurora, Colorado) – A Gambian-born youth soccer coach living legally in the United States was briefly detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) this week, in what immigration advocates say is a growing pattern of Trump-era enforcement targeting green card holders with minor or long-resolved offenses.

Sulayman Nyang, affectionately known as “Coach Saul” by young athletes and parents in Aurora, Colorado, was returning from The Gambia—his first visit home in over 20 years—when he was flagged and held by federal officers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Thursday. The trip, which was meant to reunite him with family after two decades, took an alarming turn upon his return to the United States.

Nyang, who has lived in the U.S. for 25 years and is married to an American citizen, was detained despite holding a valid, recently renewed green card. His wife, Jennifer James, told 9NEWS that CBP officials cited a 2009 marijuana possession charge—dismissed years ago—as the reason for the hold. Nyang also had a 2003 felony trespassing plea, but both issues had long since been resolved, and he remained in good legal standing.

“It was just a shock,” James said. “I couldn’t believe it. I thought he was going to go straight through. He had a two-hour layover. We didn’t think there was going to be any problem.”

Nyang was released late Friday night and arrived home in Colorado Saturday morning. But for his family and supporters, the ordeal underscored the precarious position of many legal permanent residents under an increasingly aggressive immigration posture by the Trump administration.

A Changing Climate for Immigrants

Nyang’s experience comes amid a broader clampdown on immigration, especially on non-citizens with any past contact with the criminal justice system. Under new Trump policies, even minor or dated infractions—regardless of outcome—can trigger scrutiny or denial of re-entry at the border. Legal experts say green card holders, in particular, are increasingly vulnerable.

“A green card holder may be perfectly safe remaining inside the U.S.,” said immigration attorney Matt Shaftel. “But the moment they leave the country, they expose themselves to heightened risk—even if their record is clean or their charges were dismissed.”

Shaftel advised that permanent residents consult legal counsel before traveling abroad and carry certified documentation of their legal status and court dispositions. He also warned that under the Trump administration, CBP officers may also evaluate social media history for what they define as “anti-American speech,” further complicating re-entry for immigrants.

A Community in Shock

In Aurora, the news of Nyang’s detention sent ripples through the local soccer community. Parents and players in the Skyline Soccer Association, where Nyang coaches youth teams, expressed disbelief and concern.

“I was worried that he might encounter some issues,” said Penny Lake, whose son plays on Nyang’s team. “But I thought, Coach Saul’s just a youth soccer coach. He’s not a threat to anybody.”

Nyang is a well-known figure in the community—an immigrant success story who built a life, family, and career in the U.S. after fleeing poverty in West Africa. His detention has sparked renewed concern among immigrant families who fear that decades of peaceful residence and community contribution no longer offer protection from enforcement actions.

James, holding their 3-month-old son, said she still struggles to make sense of what happened.

“Seeing that he’s been in the country for 25 years, we didn’t think there was a problem,” she said. “They gave two different answers. It didn’t make any sense.”

America First Broader Implications

Nyang’s case is just one of many that illustrate how the Trump administration’s revived “America First” doctrine is affecting legal immigrants. The administration has defended its policies as necessary for national security and rule of law, but critics argue they are casting too wide a net—ensnaring longtime residents with no recent offenses and effectively punishing rehabilitation.

For Gambians in the diaspora, particularly those with any legal infractions in their past, Nyang’s detention serves as a cautionary tale. It also raises questions about the balance between national security and the rights of immigrants who have put down deep roots in American communities.

As the 2024 presidential election season reenergizes immigration debates, stories like Nyang’s are likely to become central flashpoints in the struggle over what it means to be American—and who gets to stay.

Source: 9News Colorado