On July 28, Robert and I attended our scheduled USCIS interview for his marriage-based green card application with our immigration attorney. We went into the appointment expecting to take another important step toward building our future together. Instead, at the conclusion of the interview, ICE officers detained Robert based on a visa overstay.

Like many couples, we followed the legal process to apply for a green card through adjustment of status after our marriage. We have worked hard to do everything we could the right way, and we never imagined that attending a required immigration interview would end with our family being separated.

On July 29, Robert was transferred to an ICE detention facility in Bakersfield, where he remains while our immigration attorneys work urgently to pursue every available legal avenue to secure his release. We are filing motions, appeals, and taking the steps necessary to keep his case moving forward. I will keep this page updated as details become available.

The past several days have been some of the hardest of our lives. The uncertainty has been overwhelming, and being separated from the person you love without knowing when you'll see them again is heartbreaking. We are doing our best to take things one day at a time.

I am incredibly grateful for the support of my family and close friends, who have surrounded me with love during this difficult time. At home, our two cats, Binx and Hazel, have been a small source of comfort and normalcy while we wait and hope for good news.

Even after Robert is released, our legal journey will be far from over. We expect that continuing to fight his case through the immigration court system will require extensive legal work and will likely cost tens of thousands of dollars in attorney's fees and related expenses.

Asking for help is not something that comes easily to me. If you know me, you know I would much rather be the person offering support than asking for it. But right now, our focus has to be on bringing Robert home and making sure we have the legal representation needed to see his case through.

If you are able to contribute, no matter the amount, your generosity will go directly toward the legal expenses required to continue Robert's immigration case. If donating isn't possible, sharing our story and keeping us in your thoughts means just as much.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, your encouragement, and for standing with us during this incredibly difficult chapter. Your support reminds us that we are not facing this alone.

Lydia and Robert