Help Bring Robert Home – A Husband, Hard Worker, and Devoted Family Man
Robert had an appointment with immigration at 8:00 a.m., accompanied by his wife. The couple had planned to attend a family member’s wedding and, after receiving notice, were informed they needed to check with an immigration officer before taking their flight. This was unusual, as they had never received such a notification before. They consulted lawyers and others familiar with immigration procedures, all of whom said it was likely just to verify travel documents. They explained that with frequent administrative changes, new procedures sometimes appear without warning.
At the time, Robert was in the process of adjusting his status. This visit turned out to be an unexpected, surprise interview. They prepared all the necessary documents and attended the appointment assuming it was simply a routine “interview.”
But what followed was heartbreaking.
Robert was called in alone and not allowed to have his wife accompany him. Without warning, he was taken into ICE custody, due to a misdemeanor DUI offense that had already been expunged in 2021. He has no other criminal record, and this past charge was long behind him — something he took responsibility for and resolved through the legal system.
Robert is a hardworking man, a law-abiding resident, and the loving husband of a U.S. citizen. He has always shown up when called, acted with honesty, and contributed positively to his community. His wife, a cancer survivor still under medical observation, relies deeply on his emotional and physical support.
What makes this even more difficult is that Robert has lived legally in this country for 20 years — attending school, working, and building a life with his wife. What he was not fully aware of were the obstacles along his immigration journey, obstacles that ultimately led to his detention. It is hard to truly understand what life feels like as an immigrant unless you have experienced it yourself — starting from nothing, working tirelessly to build the future you have always dreamed of.
Now, his family is left devastated, facing yet another uphill battle: legal fees, bond payments, and the emotional toll of trying to bring him back home.
We are humbly asking for your support.
Any amount — even the smallest donation — can help us raise the funds needed for:
- Legal representation
- Bond fees
- Support for his wife during this painful and uncertain time
This country was built by immigrants, and yet families like Robert’s are being torn apart — not for any danger they pose, but for being easy targets.
Your help can make a difference. Please stand with us. Help us bring Robert home.
We are deeply grateful for any support, prayers, and kindness you can offer.
— With gratitude,
The Podskarbi Family
Update ~
UPDATE ON ROBERT’S CASE – PLEASE READ & SHARE
It’s been a heartbreaking and exhausting week for all of us. Words can’t fully describe how deeply we miss Robert—or how much his wife is suffering through this nightmare.
First, thank you to everyone who has shown care, compassion, and followed his story. Your support means everything right now.
Robert is currently being held at the Imperial ICE Detention Facility, but the journey that led him there is something most people would never imagine—and something you’ll never see on TV. That’s why we’re sharing this. Because people need to know what’s really happening.
After being taken in by ICE, Robert was held for over 8 hours standing at their Santa Ana office. Once enough people were detained to “make their daily numbers,” he was shackled with chains on his hands, feet, and waist—treated like a dangerous criminal—and transported to a basement in Los Angeles.
He wasn’t allowed to make a phone call until 12 hours later. When he finally did, he cried out for help—completely desperate. He had been held in a cramped space with over 80 others, many forced to stand or sleep on cold concrete, with no food, no water, and one bathroom to share.
His wife and attorney were told he’d be moved to a nearby facility. Instead, they transferred him again—five hours in full chains—to a border facility in Calexico, where he was left waiting another five hours because there wasn’t even room to process him.
Only after 48 hours in inhumane conditions did Robert finally get to eat and sleep.
This is how the U.S. immigration system is treating people. As a U.S. citizen and taxpayer, I am ashamed that our tax dollars are funding this level of cruelty—targeting people who have committed no crimes, tearing them away from their families, and locking them in private jails designed for profit.
Let’s be very clear: this is about money. Immigration bonds aren’t like county jail bonds. You don’t get to make payments. The entire amount—usually starting at $10,000—must be paid upfront. That’s why so many immigrant families are forced into signing “voluntary” deportation orders—they simply can’t afford to keep fighting.
Robert has lived here for decades. He’s part of our community, part of our families. He has worked with honesty and dignity, cleaning homes, scrubbing bathrooms—doing the work most Americans would never do—with pride and integrity.
He’s not just another detainee. He’s someone children grew up with. Someone families trusted and loved.he is the most charming, happy soul with all good energy person who would cheer you up even if you having a bad day.
This is personal to me, and I hope after reading this, it becomes personal to you, too. If we let people like Robert get deported, we lose more than a worker—we lose a neighbor, a friend, a good soul who gave more than he ever asked for.
If you can help, please do. If you have networks or access to media or legal resources, please share his story. Let’s not stay silent. This is not the time to look away.
We are still waiting for his bond hearing date and will update everyone as soon as we know more.
Thank you again—from the bottom of our hearts. We are not giving up.
Update ~
We are reaching out to all our friends and everyone who has contributed so far — if you know Robert personally and can speak on his behalf, we truly need your support.
Please consider writing a support letter for his upcoming bond hearing. Your words can make a real difference in showing the judge that Robert has a strong, caring community behind him — one that wants him back home.
📬 You can send your letter to:
Feapods80@gmail.com
🖊️ Please make sure your letter is dated and signed.
Thank you again for standing with us. We still haven’t received a bond hearing date from the immigration officer, but Robert’s lawyer is preparing all the necessary documents and has asked us to be ready to submit everything as soon as a date is set.
Your support means everything.
Update~
As of today, we have raised over $13,000 — an incredible achievement that fills our hearts with gratitude. We are now so close to our goal of $15,000. Just a little more will get us there, and we are asking once again for everyone to share this campaign and contribute whatever they can, no matter how small.
This fund is dedicated entirely to Robert’s legal expenses. It is hard to even imagine how the family is managing the rest of their living costs during this time — but every dollar you give will go a long way. Knowing they have enough to immediately pay for his bond and legal fees will be a massive relief and a step toward bringing him home.
We understand that everyone has their own financial responsibilities. But think of this as more than just a donation — it is a chance to help someone hold on to hope, to keep fighting for his life here, and to protect his future. Robert has always been the one to show up when others needed help. Now, it’s our turn to be there for him.
Your support today could be the difference between despair and a second chance. Let’s come together and make sure this family knows they are not alone.
Thank you and God Bless you all
💔 Update on Robert’s Case — Please Keep Supporting
It has now been almost 100 days since we’ve been missing our incredible friend, colleague, and community member, Robert.
Unfortunately, due to many complicated factors — which I’ll explain below — we haven’t been able to post regular updates. But it’s time to share what’s really happening and why Robert and his family need our continued support now more than ever.
⚖️ Legal Situation
So far, Robert has had three hearings, along with multiple cancellations, extensions, and delays — seemingly designed to keep him in detention for as long as possible.
While his judge approved all four questions for bond release and granted his bond, the DHS appealed the decision, forcing Robert to remain detained until the appeal is heard and decided.
Just when his next hearing was finally scheduled, his attorney was informed that the judge has been changed — with no clear explanation. It’s unclear whether the previous judge was removed or reassigned, but this sudden change raises serious concerns about how his case is being handled. There is an ongoing unfair devastation for Robert and his attorney at this time.
Robert is deeply frustrated, overwhelmed, and exhausted by this process. He’s been held for no justifiable reason, caught in a system that continues to delay justice and deny him basic human dignity.
💊 Medical Challenges
Robert also faces serious medical issues. He requires regular Cosentyx injections for a chronic skin condition, but the facility where he’s being held refuses to provide this treatment unless he agrees to be transferred to another detention center.
Robert chose not to move — unwilling to endure the trauma, restraints, and uncertainty of being relocated through unknown facilities. As a result, he continues to suffer without his prescribed medication.
💔 Family Struggles
Meanwhile, Roxie their fur baby is fighting with cancer. She has been in and out of hospitals for ongoing treatments, exams, and medical care. Their medical bills keep mounting, and the emotional weight on both of them is unimaginable.
Despite everything, his wife and Robert’s family continues to stand strong, doing all they can with their attorney to keep Robert’s case moving — but they’re constantly facing months-long delays, unanswered requests, and postponed hearings.
🙏 Why We Need to Keep Fundraising
The majority of the original funds have already been used for legal and medical expenses. But the fight isn’t over — far from it.
We are raising our fundraising goal to help cover ongoing attorney fees, healthcare costs, and support for his wife Fae as she continues to care for herself and fight for Robert’s release.
Every donation, every prayer, every share makes a difference. Please help us keep going until Robert comes home — where he belongs, with his wife, his dog, and his community.
🚫 A Note on Recent Negativity
We also want to address something painful. Some individuals have used personal messages from this campaign to send hateful texts to Robert’s wife.
Regardless of anyone’s political views, this behavior is unacceptable. She is a kind, innocent person enduring unimaginable hardship. Using this situation to target or harass her is cruel and inhumane.
To those individuals: your actions are not a reflection of who we are as a community. We believe in compassion, not cruelty.
❤️ Let’s Bring Robert Home
We’ve always been stronger together — and now, Robert and Fae need that strength more than ever.
This family has built a life and contributed to this community for decades. They deserve justice, dignity, and a chance to rebuild.
Let’s keep showing who we are: caring, supportive, and united.
Let’s keep fundraising.
Let’s keep praying.
Let’s bring Robert home.
On behalf of Robert’s family, thank you to everyone who has reached out, donated, prayed, or sent messages of love and hope. Your kindness keeps them going every single day.
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