Sanford grandfather detained by ICE after 70 years in U.S.
Jul 2025·Location: Sanford, FL
Country of origin: Poland

Paul John Bojerski, 79, a Polish-born refugee who legally immigrated to the U.S. in 1952 and lived there for over 70 years, was detained by ICE in late October 2025 based on a decades-old deportation order from 1968. Despite having no passport and no country to return to, Bojerski was taken into custody after attending a routine ICE check-in and transferred to Alligator Alcatraz detention facility. His family reports his health has deteriorated significantly during detention, and he now awaits resolution of his case.
Sources
- Sanford grandfather, born in refugee camp, nabbed by ICE after 70 years in U.S.
Orlando Sentinel·Nov 16, 2025·archived copy
- Florida grandfather, born in refugee camp, nabbed by ICE after 70 years in US
pressdemocrat.com·Nov 18, 2025·archived copy
- Florida grandfather, born in refugee camp, nabbed by ICE after 70 years in U.S.
theoaklandpress.com·Nov 18, 2025·archived copy
staging.bostonherald.com·Nov 18, 2025·archived copy
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