Kings' Slava Voynov taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov, a native of Chelyabinsk, Russia, is being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as it considers his eligibility to remain in the United States after serving a misdemeanor sentence for domestic abuse

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.

"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."

Voynov is likely to be released next week and the expected deportation proceedings may not occur for months, according to a person close to the investigation. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Ingrid Eagly, a professor of law at UCLA School of Law, said it was Voynov’s right to have been made aware of the potential immigration consequences before he accepted his plea agreement on a criminal charge.

“His criminal lawyer had an obligation to advise him prior to him entering a no contest plea,” Eagly said.

When Voynov appears before an immigration judge, he has the ability to request a bond hearing to achieve his release pending resolution of his case.

The review of Voynov for possible deportation is not unusual given the circumstances of his case.

“With the increase harshening of the immigration laws, a domestic violence crime has been one that are more likely to result in removal," said Eagly, who added she would need to know specifics of the case to make any further judgment.

Deportation would mean the end of Voynov’s NHL career, although he still could continue his professional career by playing in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League.

“We have some of the highest rates of removal historically occurring right now,” Eagly said.  “There has been a major focus by the Obama administration of removing people who have come in contact with the criminal justice system.”

This situation may not be resolved quickly. “If someone is in detention, those cases are taking about a year or longer,” Eagly said. “If someone is outside of detention, those cases take much longer.”

The NHL is aware of Voynov's situation, and it is in dialogue with the Players' Association about potential discipline.

Voynov was a key member of the Kings’ 2014 Stanley Cup championship team, and he had been training with the hope of rejoining them.

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