In a surprising turn of events, Roberts Nemiro, a former contestant on Latvia’s version of Dancing With the Stars found himself in custody after a routine immigration interview in San Francisco. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Nemiro following a referral from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uncovering a complex web of immigration violations and a troubling criminal past.
The case has sparked discussions about the intersection of celebrity, immigration enforcement, and criminal justice, highlighting the rigorous screening processes employed by federal agencies.
The Arrest and Immigration Violations
On July 28, 2026, Nemiro and his partner, Lydia, attended a scheduled interview with USCIS as part of his application for a marriage-based green card. What they expected to be a routine procedure turned into an unexpected encounter with ICE officers. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Nemiro’s case was referred to ICE, leading to his immediate detention.
Nemiro first entered the United States on a temporary visa in October 2011. However, his visa expired in August 2012, and he remained in the country illegally for approximately 14 years. During this time, he worked as a professional ballroom dance instructor in the San Francisco Bay Area. His immigration violations were compounded by a significant criminal record, which included convictions for aggravated assault involving a firearm and arrests for battery, sexual battery, and drug-related offenses.
A Criminal History Unveiled
The DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis sharply criticized Nemiro’s record following the arrest. ‘This illegal alien from Latvia may have once had a career as a professional dancer on TV, but has turned into a career criminal with a rap sheet that includes aggravated assault with a gun, sexual battery, and drug possession,’ Bis stated. She emphasized that Nemiro would soon be deported from the United States, marking the end of his illegal stay and crime spree.
The case underscores the coordination between USCIS and ICE when immigration applications uncover individuals subject to removal under existing immigration law. It also serves as a reminder of the federal immigration authorities’ ongoing enforcement efforts, despite state sanctuary policies.
The Human Side of the Story
Lydia, Nemiro’s partner, offered a different perspective on the case. On a GoFundMe page created after the arrest, she asserted that the couple had been attempting to legalize his immigration status through the proper channels. ‘On July 28, Robert and I attended our scheduled USCIS interview for his marriage-based green card application with our immigration attorney,’ she wrote. ‘At the conclusion of the interview, ICE officers detained Robert based on a visa overstay.’
She added that the couple had ‘worked hard to do everything we could the right way’ and expressed shock that attending a required immigration interview would end with their family being separated. The fundraiser seeks $40,000 to help cover legal expenses, highlighting the personal and financial toll of the situation.
The case of Roberts Nemiro serves as a poignant example of the complexities and challenges faced by individuals navigating the immigration system, particularly those with a criminal history. It also raises questions about the balance between enforcement and compassion in immigration policies.
