According to a recent article from FOX Sports, former UFC light heavyweight fighter Thiago Silva now has an immigration detainer, meaning he could be deported to Brazil if found guilty of felony charges, according to Silva’s lawyer, Scott Saul:
Saul, a criminal defense lawyer, said he was going to enlist the help of an immigration attorney to fight the hold. Saul said Silva is a legal resident of the United States and he isn’t sure why he could be facing deportation.
“It’s a solvable issue,” Saul told FOX Sports on Monday.
The detainer might not stick, but its presence is not allowing Saul to immediately fight Broward County judge John Hurley’s decision to hold Silva without bail. Hurley ruled that since Silva is a Brazilian national, that he is a flight risk.
Thiago Silva had his UFC contract terminated by the promotion last week following his arrest in Florida.
Stay tuned to BJPENN.com for further updates as they become available.
By Chris Taylor