Nigerian Campaign Canvasser Arrested by US Immigration Authorities

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested Nigerian national Chimaobim Adedayo Igbojekwe following his guilty plea to a disorderly conduct charge linked to a public exposure incident in Pennsylvania. US authorities said he had overstayed his visa, while a Democratic congressional candidate’s campaign denied employing him.

Daniel Momodu · October 10, 2026 · 7

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE has arrested a Nigerian national, Chimaobim Adedayo Igbojekwe, following his guilty plea to a disorderly conduct charge arising from an incident involving alleged public indecent exposure in Pennsylvania.

The US Department of Homeland Security disclosed that Igbojekwe was arrested by local police in East Pennsboro Township on September 27, 2026, before being taken into ICE custody on October 1.

According to the department, the incident occurred in a residential neighbourhood near a public park, where residents, including children, were present.

The authorities said Igbojekwe was found exposing himself in public and was subsequently charged with indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. He pleaded guilty to the disorderly conduct charge before his immigration arrest.

The Department of Homeland Security also alleged that Igbojekwe had been working as a canvasser for Janelle Stelson, the Democratic nominee contesting Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District against Republican Representative Scott Perry.

The department said campaign materials were found in his vehicle following the incident.

However, Stelson’s campaign denied employing Igbojekwe, saying it had no prior knowledge of him and welcomed the police response to the incident.

ICE Deputy Director Charles Wall criticised the alleged employment relationship, questioning why a political campaign would engage an undocumented immigrant who had been convicted of a public disorder offence.

The department said Igbojekwe entered the United States legally in June 2017 but remained in the country after his authorised period of stay expired in November 2019.

It added that the administration of former President Joe Biden granted him deferred action in September 2021, a measure that temporarily postpones deportation.

The department did not provide further details about the status of his immigration proceedings.

The case has also drawn attention to the intersection of immigration enforcement and political campaigning in the United States, particularly as political parties prepare for the November 2026 midterm elections.