American farmer who built a life in Russia says he and his family are facing deportation

Justus Walker, known as "The Merry Milkman," an American farmer residing in Russia's Altai Krai, fears deportation for his family, according to Russian authorities. A call informed him that his residence permit would be revoked, stating they will learn the details on Monday at 10 a.m. Walker and his family have poured nearly all their savings into the farm, totaling 900,000 rubles if they were to be expelled.

Currently, Walker holds 400,000 rubles. Having arrived in Russia at 11 years old with his parents, he later returned to the U.S. in 2000, only to return to Russia independently a few years later, where he established a farming career. His fame escalated in 2014 when a segment on the Russian news program Vesti, which highlighted Russia’s ban on food imports, featured Walker laughing, stating Russians would need to purchase his cheese due to the ban.

Walker has been vocal in recent years about opposing gold mining in the Altai region and criticizing local officials for pressuring agricultural producers. Meduza, an independent Russian news outlet, notes that while Walker has faced criticism, his story presents an interesting case of an American farmer's life in Russia and the potential threat of deportation.