Praised Russia, Now Asks for Help: American's Family Faces Deportation

American farmer Justas Walker, known as the "cheerful milkman," said Russian authorities intend to deport his family. On August 7, he posted a video message about a warning call. On August 10, the family must appear before the migration service. Walker asks for help, as leaving requires about 900,000 rubles, but he has only 400,000. He has lived in Russia since the 1990s and gained fame in 2014.

American farmer Justas Walker, known as the "cheerful milkman," said Russian authorities intend to deport his family from the country. On August 7, he posted a video message in which he spoke about a warning call. According to him, on August 10, relatives must appear before the migration service to receive an official ruling. If the decision is confirmed, they may be given only a few days to leave. Walker claims this came as a shock, as the family invested money in a farm and tourism business in Altai. He calculated that leaving would require about 900,000 rubles, while he has about 400,000, and he appealed to the audience for support. Walker has lived in Russia since the 1990s, having arrived with his missionary parents. He gained fame in 2014 after a story about food counter-sanctions, where he laughingly said Russians would have to buy local cheese. Russian media used his image as an example of a successful foreigner. He previously criticized local authorities and opposed gold mining in Altai.