The health of a British R&B singer who is being held in a US correctional facility after being arrested for overstaying her visa by 26 years is ‘rapidly deteriorating’, her loved ones say.
Jane Eugene, lead singer from 80s R&B group Loose Ends, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials at the Canadian border crossing at Niagara Falls two months ago and is currently being held at a correctional facility in Kentucky.
Friends and family of the singer, who has been living in the US for several years, have revealed the effect her detention is having on her and have launched a fundraiser to help her navigate her ordeal.
‘As you might imagine, the conditions are taking a huge toll. Jane’s health is rapidly deteriorating’, the GoFundMe page said.
‘Unable to work or generate income for the past few months and foreseeable future, Jane needs our help.’
The fundraiser aims to ‘cover the initial cost of legal fees, protect her health while she’s in ICE custody, pay for a possible bond bail, and close some of the gaps on paying for basic needs.’
‘She loves America, has made her home here, and wants to fight using every legal remedy available’.
‘Jane’s music has been the soundtrack for many lives—now let’s be her lifeline. Every contribution, big or small, helps protect her health and future. Every dollar will go directly to Jane. The courts are overwhelmed and no one can say how long she will be held under extremely challenging conditions. Your gift makes a huge difference’, the fundraiser added.
Jane Eugene, a British singer from chart-topping 80s R&B group Loose Ends, has been arrested by immigration officials for allegedly overstaying her US visa by 26 years
Pictured: Loose Ends performing on on UK Channel 4 TV Series ‘620 Soul Train’, London, UK in 1985
Her loved ones say he health is ‘deteriorating’ while she remains in a correctional facility
A statement was also released on behalf of Ms Eugene, in which the singer thanked her friends and fans for their ‘love and prayers’.
‘My friends have been doing an incredible job supporting me through this challenging time. They have been going above and beyond in these past months, but the costs are more than they can bear.
‘My health has taken a real toll in detention, and every dollar makes a difference.’
Ms Eugene has been leading a US-based version of Loose Ends, performing around the country from her home in Los Angeles.
US government sources claimed that she applied for a US ‘green card’ back in 1999, when she had already overstayed her visa, but was refused.
Now her lengthy alleged visa overstay could lead to serious legal consequences, including removal proceedings and a possible 10-year re-entry ban.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told MailOnline: ‘The law applies equally, even to celebrities.
‘Jane Eugene Sendall Peters was denied an immigrant petition for alien workers in 1999 and had already overstayed her visa at the time of application.
She is reportedly being held at a correctional facility in Kentucky
Ms Eugene has been leading a US-based version of Loose Ends, performing around the country from her home in Los Angeles
She was arrested at Niagra Falls having been denied entry to Canada . The British singer is being held in upstate New York, near the Canadian border
‘On May 3, 2025, Peters was encountered in Niagara Falls, NY after being refused entry to Canada. [Customs and Border Protection] arrested her and she is pending a hearing with the Executive Office for Immigration Review.’
Ms Mclaughlin added that ‘President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to restoring integrity to the visa program and ensuring it is not abused to allow aliens a permanent one-way ticket to remain in the U.S.’
‘The United States is offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.’
Overstaying a U.S. visa by more than a year is classed as ‘unlawful presence,’ which can trigger a 10-year bar from re-entering the country if the person leaves.]
But the singer’s loved ones insist she meets the legal requirements to remain in the US.
‘Under Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) there’s a provision that allows people who entered the country and applied for a green card before 2001 to re-apply for legal status while still in the US, even if they overstayed their visa. Jane meets the requirements for 245(i) and is ‘grandfathered’ in.’
Donald Trump’s second term as US president has been largely characterised by his immigration and border control agenda.
Ms Eugene’s detention comes as thousands of immigrants to the US have been arrested, detained and deported.
US government sources claimed that she applied for a US ‘green card’ back in 1999, when she had already overstayed her visa, but was refused
(L-R) Loose Ends band members Keith Eaddy, Jane Eugene and John Valentino attend MOJA in 2022
Singer Jane Eugene of Loose Ends performs at the Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in November 1988
Loose Ends band member Jane Eugene attends MOJA: A Music Saga Experience at The GRAMMY Museum on September 13, 2022 in Los Angeles
Loose Ends’ biggest hit by far was in 1985 with Hangin’ on a String (Contemplating), which topped the U.S. Billboard R&B chart, the first British band ever to do so. It also reached number 13 in the UK top twenty.
The trio began in London in 1980 with vocalist and guitarist Carl McIntosh, singer Ms Eugene, and keyboard player Steve Nichol. The group was originally titled Loose End, but changed its name to Loose Ends in 1983 and were signed to Virgin Records.
The group split up and eventually reunited to appear on a single by hip-hop producer Pete Rock called ‘Take Your Time’ in 1998.
Two years ago, promoting a forthcoming gig with the Average White Band (AWB), Jane told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that her main advice to young music hopefuls was to compose their own music.
‘Really, it’s a way to create your own pension fund,’ she said, noting that publishing residuals can continue to be collected even when your career has ended.
She told the newspaper she was influenced by many black artists from the United States.
‘I was just a toddler when the Beatles were the thing, so that explains why I don’t claim them as major influences,’ she said.
Eugene and her co-band members – Steve Nichol and Carl McIntosh – were heavily influenced by the American soul stars of the late ’70s and early ’80s, namely Luther Vandross, Angela Winbush, Phyllis Hyman and Aretha Franklin.
She said: ‘My favourite song from her is ‘Ain’t No Way,’ she added. ‘You talkin’ about feelin’ her soul!’
Singers Carl McIntosh and Jane Eugene, and musician Steve Nichol of Loose Ends poses for photos backstage at the Holiday Star Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana in November 1988
In 2022, fellow former Loose Ends founder Carl McIntosh sued Jane Eugene in a New York court, accusing her of trademark infringement by using the name Loose Ends in her promotional material
A South African singer named Twyla was another major influence, she said.
Discussing her current band, she said: ‘When we play Pittsburgh, they’ll immediately recognize the first four or five tunes from our setlist,’ she said, citing ‘Slow Down,’ ‘Stay While Child,’ Hangin’ on a String,’ ‘You Can’t Stop the Rain’ and ‘Mr. Bachelor.’
But in 2022, fellow former Loose Ends founder Carl McIntosh sued Jane Eugene in a New York court, accusing her of trademark infringement by using the name Loose Ends in her promotional material.
Jane Eugene vigorously defended the lawsuit, claiming ‘fair use’ and the case continues.
Her Facebook and Instagram accounts have not been updated since April, when she and the group played a gig in Atlanta.
Ms McLaughlin hinted that Jane Eugene’s high-profile case could be used as an example to publicise US President Donald Trump’s new hardline approach to illegal aliens and overstayers, including a carrot-and-stick offer of a $1,000 sweetener and a free flight home to those who give themselves up.
She added: ‘President Trump and DHS Secretary [Kristi] Noem are committed to restoring integrity to the visa program and ensuring it is not abused to allow aliens a permanent one-way ticket to remain in the U.S.
‘Illegal aliens can take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now.
‘We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.’
MailOnline contacted various legal and business contacts for Ms Eugene.
The singer’s ordeal also comes four months after a British backpacker’s dream trip turned into a nightmare when she was detained by ICE agents at the Canadian border, after being classified as an ‘illegal alien’.
Becky Burke, 28, had attempted to cross the border into Canada with an ‘incorrect visa’ on February 26, with her parents telling the BBC that she had been getting free accommodation for helping families with chores.
Her father believed that in doing so she had essentially broken the terms of her tourist visa waiver, which bans holidaymakers from doing work while in the US.
It also comes as British tourists planning trips to the US were warned of increasingly tough questioning at border control that could see them barred from entry or even detained amid Trump’s immigration crackdown.
US border officials have been using more aggressive methods with holidaymakers and legal immigrants, with the Trump administration calling it ‘enhanced vetting’, according to the New York Times.
