Simon Guobadia,[Dr. Simon Iyore Guobadia] the Nigerian-Edo- born businessman and estranged husband of reality TV star Porsha Williams, has faced decades of legal and immigration challenges in his pursuit of U.S. citizenship. Recent court filings have brought his troubled history to light, raising fresh concerns amid his ongoing divorce from Williams.
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Guobadia, 60, is currently being held at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, according to Us Weekly. Records from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirm that his status is listed as “in ICE custody.”
This detention follows years of failed attempts to secure U.S. citizenship, with court documents revealing a history of visa overstays, identity fraud, and multiple rejections of his naturalization applications. His most recent denial came in July 2022, prompting a legal battle against the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Guobadia’s troubled immigration history dates back to his initial arrival in the United States on August 11, 1982, on a six-month visitor visa. However, he overstayed his visa, leading to a 1985 deportation order after his application for U.S. citizenship was denied. Rather than returning home, Guobadia left voluntarily but re-entered the U.S. in 1986 under another six-month visa, only to overstay once again.
Court documents reveal that on January 11, 2024, Guobadia filed a civil case in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, challenging repeated denials of his naturalization application. He sued UR Mendoza Jaddou, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Shineka Miller, Director of the USCIS Atlanta Field Office.
guobadia v. jaddouAccording to the filings, his application for naturalization was most recently denied on July 27, 2022. He requested a hearing to overturn the decision, but immigration officials reaffirmed their rejection, citing fraudulent activity and past criminal offenses.
Between 1986 and 1992, Guobadia allegedly engaged in identity fraud, using multiple aliases to apply for temporary residency under the Special Agricultural Worker (SAW) program. His application, submitted on October 24, 1988, was granted green card on July 25, 1991, despite omitting his criminal past and falsifying personal details.
Ironically, just 26 days after he was deported in 1992 for visa violations, he managed to obtain a green card under his newly assumed identity. His past arrests include:
- 1987 – Pleaded guilty to felony bank and credit card fraud
- 1989 – Arrested for unauthorized vehicle use
- 1990 & 1991 – Additional fraud-related charges
Despite his legal troubles, Guobadia applied for citizenship again in 2016, but the USCIS denied his request, citing that his original resident status was “unlawfully granted.” He faced further denials in 2020 and 2022 before challenging the decision in 2023. His case was rejected once again in early 2024.
Guobadia’s citizenship issues have come under renewed scrutiny following his impending divorce from Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams. While sources close to the couple insist that the split is unrelated to his legal troubles, the timing has fueled speculation.
Williams and Guobadia’s whirlwind romance began in April 2021, with the couple getting engaged just one month after meeting. They married in 2022, following Guobadia’s highly publicized divorce from his ex-wife and former RHOA co-star, Falynn Guobadia.The couple’s relationship caused a scandal that played out on the reality show due to many speculating about the timing of when he and Porsha began dating.
In 2023, he started moving some of his investments to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, possibly because of concerns over his immigration status.
Despite his legal troubles, Guobadia has built a successful career as a businessman and investor in Atlanta. His holdings include businesses in Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Manufacturing, and Commodities Trading. He also holds investments in several local businesses at the center of Atlanta’s nightlife, including The Republic, a barbecue restaurant DAS BBQ II, and LDV Hospitality’s subsidiary, American Cut Steakhouse.
In a 2022 interview with Authority Magazine, Guobadia spoke about his passion for the restaurant industry:
“I consider food to be a work of art. While it nourishes our bodies, it also serves as a source of inspiration and connection.”
As of 2024, Simon Guobadia’s net worth is estimated to be around $40 million. This wealth is primarily derived from his various business ventures, investments, and production projects, showcasing his savvy as a businessman and investor.
Guobadia has been married three times, including his controversial union with Porsha Williams. He has five children from previous relationships—Quentin, Nicole, Christian, Benjamin, and Ximena. In a 2022 Instagram post, he expressed gratitude to the mothers of his children for their support in co-parenting.
Williams, on the other hand, has a daughter, PJ, from her previous relationship with entrepreneur Dennis McKinley.
Despite facing legal uncertainties, Guobadia appears unfazed. On February 20, 2024, he shared a post on Instagram, casually smoking a cigar in a golf cart with the caption:
“Happy Tuesday to all who ever overcame and persevered in life. You are winning. #42yearsLivinginAmerica.”
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With legal troubles mounting and his fate in the hands of immigration authorities, Guobadia’s ongoing battle for U.S. residency—and the fallout from his high-profile marriage—continues to make headlines.
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