British R&B singer Jane Eugene, famed as the lead vocalist of 1980s group Loose Ends, has been detained by U.S. immigration authorities and now faces deportation after allegedly overstaying her visa by 26 years.
The 62-year-old singer—also known as Jane Peters—was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at the Niagara Falls border crossing two months ago, following a failed attempt to enter Canada.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Eugene was flagged during a routine check and subsequently taken into custody due to her long-standing immigration violations.
A DHS spokesperson confirmed that Eugene had been living in the United States unlawfully for decades, frequently performing across the country while based in Los Angeles, where she continued to operate a version of Loose Ends.
Government records reveal that Eugene applied for a green card in 1999, but her petition was denied, and she had already overstayed her visa by that time. Immigration officials now say she faces formal removal proceedings and may be subject to a mandatory 10-year re-entry ban, in line with federal immigration law.
“The law applies equally, even to celebrities,” said Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary, in a statement to MailOnline. “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.”
A Storied Musical Legacy
Jane Eugene rose to international fame with Loose Ends, the British trio that made history in 1985 with their smash hit “Hangin’ on a String (Contemplating),” the first song by a British band to top the U.S. Billboard R&B chart. The track also reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart.
Loose Ends was formed in London in 1980 by Eugene, guitarist Carl McIntosh, and keyboardist Steve Nichol. Originally known as Loose End, they changed the name to Loose Ends after signing with Virgin Records in 1983.
While Eugene has continued to tour the U.S. under the Loose Ends name, often without her original bandmates, her immigration troubles now put her future in the U.S.—and potentially her musical career—on uncertain ground.
