Paul John Bojerski is a 79-year-old grandfather, optician, and longtime U.S. resident who has lived in this country since he was five years old. Born in a refugee camp in post-war Germany to Polish parents, Paul was brought to the U.S. legally in 1952. He grew up in Ohio, worked for decades as an optician, raised a family, and built his entire life here.

Now, in a heartbreaking and confusing turn of events, Paul is being held in ICE detention—despite having lived openly and peacefully in this country for more than seven decades. In July, what he thought was a routine ICE check-in turned into a nightmare: he was told he would be deported, even though he has no valid passport, no country to return to, and nowhere else to call home.

Paul is now confined in the Krome Detention Center after spending time in the inhumane “Alligator Alcatraz” facility, where he reportedly suffered neglect, injuries, and declining health. He uses a wheelchair, missed a critical spinal procedure, and has allegedly gone without regular medications or hot meals.

His decades-old deportation order stems from youthful criminal convictions—including one charge he has long disputed, claiming innocence. But even after serving his sentence, working hard, and complying with every immigration requirement for decades, Paul is now being treated like a danger to society.

This is not justice.

We are calling on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and U.S. Representative Cory Mills to take immediate action to release Paul Bojerski and halt his deportation. Compassion, not cruelty, should guide our immigration system—especially for vulnerable elders like Paul who have contributed to this country for a lifetime.

Paul deserves to spend the rest of his life in peace, with his family, not in a prison cell.

Sign now to demand Paul Bojerski’s release and help reunite him with his family.

Photo: RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA / Tampa Bay Times