US Farmer in Russia Told His Family May Be Deported
Justas Walker, an American citizen who has lived in Russia since the age of 12 and runs a dairy farm and eco-tourism business in Altai Krai, revealed in a video message that he has been notified by the migration service that his residence permit has been cancelled. He and his family could be deported from the country, he said, describing the situation as a total shock.
Walker, now in his forties, moved to Krasnoyarsk Territory with his parents in 1994 and stayed on after they returned to the United States. In 2016 he relocated to the Altai region, where he lives with his wife and three children. He says he will visit the local migration office on 10 August to seek more details and is already looking into the possibility of appealing the decision.
The farmer gained nationwide notoriety in 2014 when a television report on Rossiya 1 showed him laughing as he commented on Russia's ban on imported foods. His remark – “Your Italian cheese won't be around anymore” – became a viral meme, earning him the nickname 'The Jolly Milkman'. That moment made him a recognizable public figure, especially among Russian social media users.
What Is Known About Justas Walker's Immigration Predicament
The Sudden Threat to a Long‑Established Life
Walker's case is notable not only because he is an American who has made Russia his home for three decades, but also because no public explanation has been given for the cancellation of his residence permit. The migration service has not disclosed any violation or change in policy that might have triggered the measure, leaving room for considerable uncertainty. Walker himself told followers he was at a loss to understand the decision.
While his status as a media personality might seem to set him apart, immigration lawyers in Russia note that such revocations are sometimes linked to administrative errors, missed deadlines or changes in the grounds on which a permit was originally issued. Without official comment, however, it is impossible to say whether Walker's situation reflects a broader tightening of enforcement or an isolated procedural matter. What is clear is that losing the right to reside would force him to abandon the farm and ecotourism venture he has spent years building, uprooting his family in the process.
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