R&B icon Jane Eugene of Loose Ends battles ICE deportation

Jane Eugene, the British-born vocalist of the chart-topping 1980s R&B group Loose Ends, has been held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for nearly three months.

According to reports, Eugene is allegedly accused of staying in the U.S. for 19 years after her visa expired.

She is now facing possible deportation and a 10-year ban from reentering the United States. Eugene’s supporters say her health is rapidly deteriorating and her legal future remains uncertain.

Jane Eugene’s ICE battle

Eugene, 63, was detained by immigration officials on May 3 at the Niagara Falls border crossing after being denied entry into Canada. ICE transferred her from a New York facility to the Campbell County Detention Center in Kentucky, where she remains pending a hearing with the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

GoFundMe campaign created to support Jane Eugene

A GoFundMe campaign launched by a longtime friend has raised more than $16,000 to date. The fundraiser aims to cover immigration attorney fees, medical care, and basic living expenses while Eugene fights to remain in the country she has called home for over two decades.

“Jane’s health is rapidly deteriorating,” Crowder wrote on the campaign page. “She’s unable to work or generate income, and the conditions are taking a huge toll. Every dollar helps protect her health and future.”

Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act

Eugene’s legal team argues she qualifies for relief under Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows certain undocumented immigrants who applied for a green card before 2001 to adjust their status without leaving the country—even if they overstayed a visa.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Eugene’s 1999 green card petition was denied due to her visa overstay at the time of application. Officials say her case is being handled according to current immigration law, which under President Trump’s second term has seen intensified enforcement and expanded detention efforts.

Music career

Eugene rose to fame in the 1980s as the lead singer of Loose Ends, the first British band to top the U.S. Billboard R&B chart with hits like “Hangin’ on a String (Contemplating)” and “Slow Down.”

In recent years, she continued touring under the name Loose Ends featuring Jane Eugene, mentoring emerging artists and supporting underserved communities.

Supporters say her detention is not just a legal matter but a humanitarian concern.

“She’s not just an R&B legend,” Crowder said. “She’s a compassionate soul who’s given so much to American culture. We’re rallying for humane treatment and due-process rights.”

Eugene’s immigration hearing is expected later this week. If deported, she could be barred from returning to the U.S. for a decade.

To learn more, visit the GoFundMe campaign.