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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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A man who lived in the United States for 20 years was taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for overstaying his student visa during a scheduled immigration appointment, according to a fundraiser set up by the family.
Robert Mateusz Podskarbi, a Polish national, was in the process of adjusting his immigration status, according to the SpotFund page.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Newsweek that Podskarbi was detained by ICE on July 10.
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DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that Podskarbi has an outstanding arrest warrant related to weapons and drug charges. She did not specify the country. In the United States, Podskarbi faced charges for driving under the influence.
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Why It Matters
The Trump administration is pushing forward with plans to carry out what it calls the largest deportation operation in U.S. history as part of the Republicans' hardline immigration agenda. In addition to people living in the country without legal status, immigrants with valid documentation, including green cards and visas, have been detained.
What To Know
Podskarbi and his partner had planned to attend a relative’s wedding but were later informed that they needed to meet with an immigration officer before boarding their flight, according to the fundraiser.
The family said that the appointment was intended as a routine check-in and that Podskarbi attended with his wife, per the fundraiser, which said he was then called in alone and taken into custody unexpectedly. They added that receiving such a notification was unusual, as it had not occurred before. The family said immigration officials explained that administrative procedures can change frequently, and new requirements may sometimes be introduced without prior notice.
The family said that the detention was related to a misdemeanor DUI charge that had been expunged in 2021, and that he has no other criminal record.
According to the family, Podskarbi was initially held for several hours at ICE’s Santa Ana office and later transferred to facilities in Los Angeles and Calexico. They described difficult conditions during the transfers and initial detention, including limited access to food, water, and restrooms.
What People Are Saying
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), told Newsweek: “On July 10, Robert Mateusz Podskarbi, a criminal illegal alien from Poland, was arrested by ICE. He has an outstanding arrest warrant for weapon and drug charges. In the United States, he was charged with driving under the influence. Podskarbi overstayed his student visa. Bottom line: Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”
The family wrote in the fundraiser: "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."
What Happens Next
The family has launched a fundraising campaign to cover legal fees, bond costs, and support for his wife during his detention. Podskarbi will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
Correction, 10/13/2025 at 11:05 a.m. ET: This article and headline have been updated to reflect the retraction of a primary source—a report by FOX11 quoting Robert Podskarbi's wife—used in the original story.
Update, 10/5/2025 at 5:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from DHS.
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