Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Porsha Williams has publicly responded to the recent detainment of her estranged husband, Simon Guobadia, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), marking a dramatic turn in their already turbulent relationship.
Guobadia, a Nigerian-born businessman, is currently held at Georgia’s Stewart Detention Center under President Donald Trump’s reinstated mass deportation plan. Records from the Department of Homeland Security confirm his status as “in ICE custody,” reigniting scrutiny over his decades-long legal battles to secure U.S. citizenship.
The detention follows President Donald Trump’s mass deportation initiative, which was implemented earlier this year after he assumed office. This directive permits the removal of undocumented immigrants back to their countries of origin.
Porsha Williams broke her silence on Instagram on Friday, February 21, stating, “It’s disheartening to see my estranged husband make choices that have led to this outcome. At this moment, my priority is moving forward with my family.”
The couple, who married in 2022 after a whirlwind romance, separated in late 2024 amid rumors of discord, though neither has publicly disclosed the cause of the split.
Simon Guobadia’s difficulties with U.S. immigration started in 1982 when he initially arrived on a visa and subsequently overstayed. Court documents indicate that he was deemed deportable in 1985 but reentered the U.S. in 1986 on a work visa, only to overstay it again.
His legal issues intensified in 1987 when he was arrested and admitted guilty of bank and credit card fraud. Throughout the years, he faced two more arrests. In 1992, Guobadia was deported and forcibly removed from the nation. Nevertheless, he succeeded in coming back to the U.S. under an unidentified identity, which eventually allowed him to obtain permanent residency.
In 2016, Guobadia submitted an application for naturalization; however, it was denied due to his prior fraudulent immigration status. Since then, he has pursued multiple appeals and filed complaints to obtain citizenship, all of which have been unsuccessful. Most recently, his citizenship application was rejected last month, resulting in his detention over the weekend.
For now, Porsha Williams is focusing on the future. She ended her statement by noting that while the news is “deeply unsettling,” she’s determined to prioritize her well-being and that of her loved ones.
