Robert Podskarbi, a Polish immigrant who has lived in the United States for years and has held lawful permanent residency since 2007, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in as he prepared to travel with his wife to a relative’s wedding.
The case, reported by Newsweek (Billal Rahman) and Fox 11, comes amid a period of heightened enforcement. Reports note that the Trump administration has emphasized what it describes as “the largest deportation operation in U.S. history,” resulting in detentions of both undocumented immigrants and some with valid documents—including green cards and visas—raising questions about current policy toward permanent residents.
According to Fox 11, the couple had planned to fly out, but before boarding, they were advised to consult an immigration officer. That’s when Podskarbi was detained. His wife, Faye Podskarbi, said agents linked the detention to a recent policy shift in Washington, stating, “They said he was free because of the Biden administration. And now the administration is Trump, and he’s going to be in our custody.” The local outlet reported that Podskarbi has no active criminal record; his only known prior offense—a 2021 misdemeanor DUI—has been expunged. This highlights how shifting enforcement priorities can affect individuals with legal status.
Since his arrest, Podskarbi has been held at an ICE detention center in Calexico, California, for more than 100 days, Newsweek reported. Faye Podskarbi has raised concerns about the conditions and criticized a system that she says shifts the financial burden onto families. “They just want to hold people, detain people… Because as a family member, I have to pay for his commissary, the phone calls, his legal fees, all of it.” She added: “He’s simply a loving husband, a caring ‘dog dad.’ He loves everyone. There’s nothing to question about him.”
Contacted by Newsweek, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not provide an immediate comment.
An ICE spokesperson, cited by Newsweek, said Podskarbi “will be held in ICE custody while the agency arranges for his removal in accordance with all applicable laws and due-process requirements.”
Newsweek noted that current federal enforcement targets not only individuals without legal status but also former green card holders and applicants with older records. This reflects the ongoing interpretation and application of removal policies.
The DHS Office of Homeland Security Statistics estimates there were 12.8 million lawful permanent residents living in the U.S. as of January 1, 2024. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) emphasizes that a lawful permanent resident found to have committed certain offenses may lose their status and face removal proceedings. In practice, Newsweek and other outlets have reported that current enforcement policies have led to detentions of green card holders during scheduled check-ins, administrative appointments, or near airports, highlighting the practical effects of policy changes on those with legal status.
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to cover legal fees and efforts to secure his release. As of now, no date has been provided for any potential hearing.
