Simon Guobadia, estranged husband of American TV personality Porsha Williams, has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and faces deportation.
According to records from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Guobadia is currently being held at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. This detention occurs amidst a broader context of increased immigration enforcement.
Guobadia’s immigration status has been a complex and protracted issue. Originally from Nigeria, he immigrated to the United States in 1982. His initial visa allegedly expired, and he was declared deportable as early as 1985, according to reporting by Atlanta’s WSB-TV 2.
His history with law enforcement includes an arrest in 1987 for bank and credit card fraud. Following this, he was deported to Nigeria in 1992, only to return to the U.S. a month later.
In 2016, Guobadia attempted to rectify his immigration status by applying for U.S. citizenship.
This application, however, was denied by the U.S. government on the grounds that his previous status had been “unlawfully granted,” suggesting a history of inconsistent or improper documentation.
Since this denial, Guobadia has reportedly pursued numerous complaints and appeals within the legal system, seeking to be recognized as a naturalized citizen. These efforts have, to date, been unsuccessful.
The detention and deportation proceedings against Guobadia coincide with his recent marital difficulties. Porsha Williams filed for divorce from Guobadia in the same month as his current immigration proceedings, bringing their nearly 15-month marriage to an end. Their separation has been marked by a contentious legal battle. In September, Williams secured a legal victory when a judge ruled in her favor concerning the couple’s prenuptial agreement, providing a foundation for the financial aspects of their divorce.
Further complicating matters, court documents revealed in November that Williams was granted temporary sole possession of the couple’s marital residence. Crucially, the court order also gave her the “unrestricted right to film and produce television, film or social media” within the home, suggesting potential plans to document or explore these personal events through her professional work. Guobadia’s ongoing legal battles regarding both his immigration status and his divorce with Williams continue to unfold.