Latest news with #JaneEugene
CTV News
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘The law applies equally, even to celebrities,' U.S. officials say after arrest of U.K. singer who failed to cross into Canada
A Canada Border Services Agency officer speaks with travellers crossing at the Niagara Falls International Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario Friday, June 7, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Lynett A U.K. singer was arrested at a New York border crossing after being refused entry into Canada, according to an official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Jane Eugene Sendall Peters was arrested two months ago after trying to cross into Canada in Niagara Falls, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in an email statement to Thursday night. Peters, who goes by the name Jane Eugene, is a former vocalist with the R&B group Loose Ends. Saying, 'the law applies equally, even to celebrities,' McLaughlin said Peters was 'denied an immigrant petition for alien work in 1999 and had already overstayed her visa at the time of application.' This is a developing news story. Check back for more information. With files from Dorcas Marfo
National Post
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
U.K. singer arrested in U.S. after being denied entry into Canada. She overstayed her visa by 26 years
A British singer was arrested in the United States after being denied entry into Canada. Article content Jane Eugene Sendall Peters, known professionally as Jane Eugene, was in the Niagara Falls, New York area two months ago when she was stopped by American authorities. She had overstayed her visa by at least 26 years, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Article content Article content Article content Peters was denied an immigrant petition for alien workers in the U.S. in 1999, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in an emailed statement to National Post on Wednesday. At that time, McLaughlin said, Peters had already overstayed her visa. Article content Article content 'On May 3, 2025, Peters was encountered in Niagara Falls, NY after being refused entry to Canada. U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested her and she is pending a hearing with the Executive Office for Immigration Review,' per McLaughlin's statement. Article content Peters was in the British R&B band Loose Ends, formed in 1980, per the band's official website. Several of the band's songs were hits in the U.K., making the top 40 singles list throughout the 1980s. The band's single Hangin' On A String has been streamed on Spotify more than 21 million times. Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by Loose Ends (@looseendsmusic) Article content Peters eventually left the band, although they reunited in 1998 for a project, per Daily Mail. Peters has continued to perform. On her official Facebook page, there are videos of her posted on stage in late April. Peters promoted an April 19 show in Atlanta, which she said was sold out, in a Facebook video. Article content Article content She called the creation of music with Loose Ends 'spiritual' in an interview on the 217 Today podcast in January. 'When you listen to the album,' she said, 'people feel amazing things from listening to our music.' Article content She said people told her that her music got them through hard times. Article content 'It really means more to them than we ever thought,' she said. 'To think that this music has lasted since 1980 — and what are we in now? 2025. No, I never thought it would last that long.' Article content According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), anyone who has accrued one year or more of 'unlawful presence' during a single stay will be inadmissible if they seek entry into the U.S. again within 10 years of leaving or being removed. 'Unlawful presence is any period of time when you are present in the United States without being admitted or paroled, or when you are present in the United States after your 'period of stay authorized by the Secretary' expires,' says USCIS.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE British singer is arrested by US immigration officials and faces deportation for 'overstaying her visa by 26 YEARS'
A chart-topping British singing star faces deportation back to the UK after being arrested by US authorities for overstaying her visa by 26 years, MailOnline can reveal. Jane Eugene, lead singer from 80s R&B group Loose Ends, was detained by officials at the Canadian border crossing at Niagara Falls, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Ms Eugene, 62, also known as Jane Peters, was apparently trying to leave the United States, but was refused entry to Canada then arrested by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)agents two months ago. She has been living in the US for many years and 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. 'On May 3, 2025, Peters was encountered in Niagara Falls, NY after being refused entry to Canada. CBP arrested her and she is pending a hearing with the Executive Office for Immigration Review.' 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. 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!' 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.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE British singer from chart-topping 80s R&B group is arrested by immigration officials for 'overstaying her US visa by 26 years'
A chart-topping British singing star faces deportation back to the UK after being arrested by US authorities for overstaying her visa by 26 years, MailOnline can reveal. Jane Eugene, lead singer from 80s R&B group Loose Ends, was detained by officials at the Canadian border crossing at Niagara Falls, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Ms Eugene, 62, also known as Jane Peters, was apparently trying to leave the United States, but was refused entry to Canada then arrested by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)agents two months ago. She has been living in the US for many years and 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. 'On May 3, 2025, Peters was encountered in Niagara Falls, NY after being refused entry to Canada. CBP arrested her and she is pending a hearing with the Executive Office for Immigration Review.' 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. 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!' 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. The group split up and eventually reunited to appear on a single by hip-hop producer Pete Rock called 'Take Your Time' in 1998 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.
