New York, USA – Peyton Harsono, the American wife of Indonesian graduate student Aditya Harsono, has initiated a crowdfunding campaign to support her husband’s legal and living expenses after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him in late March 2025. The fundraiser, hosted on GoFundMe with a $10,000 goal (approximately Rp167 million), aims to cover mounting legal fees and sustain their family as Aditya contests his deportation in a New Jersey detention facility. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by international students amid tightening U.S. immigration policies.
Background of the Detention
Aditya Harsono, 28, a master’s student in environmental engineering at Rutgers University, was arrested by ICE agents on March 28 during a routine check-in at the Newark Field Office. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the specific grounds for his detention, though his student visa status is believed to be under scrutiny. Aditya, who moved to the U.S. in 2022, has no criminal record, according to his legal team.
Peyton Harsono, a New Jersey native who married Aditya in 2023, claims the arrest followed a “minor administrative error” in visa paperwork. “This is a nightmare,” she said in a video posted to the fundraiser page. “Aditya followed every rule. We’re fighting to keep our family together.”
Fundraiser Details and Community Response
The GoFundMe campaign, co-organized by family friend Madison Widner, has raised nearly $5,000 within its first week. Donations will fund legal representation, translation services, and basic necessities for Aditya, who remains held at the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility. Supporters spanning Indonesia, the U.S., and global academic networks have shared the fundraiser online, with many decrying the detention as overly punitive.
“International students shouldn’t live in fear of bureaucratic traps,” said Widner, a Rutgers alumna. “Aditya is a brilliant researcher contributing to climate solutions. Deporting him helps no one.”
Legal Challenges and Immigration Context
Aditya’s attorneys, retained through the nonprofit American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), argue that his detention stems from a “technical violation” linked to delayed visa renewal filings exacerbated by USCIS processing backlogs. Under current U.S. law, even minor visa lapses can trigger deportation proceedings, with detainees bearing the burden of proof to contest removal.
ICE has declined to comment on the case, citing privacy laws. However, advocates note a 22% rise in student visa-related detentions since 2023, attributed to post-pandemic policy crackdowns. “The system is rigged against immigrants,” said AILA spokesperson Marisol García. “Families are torn apart over paperwork delays they didn’t create.”
Family Struggles and Emotional Toll
Peyton, who is seven months pregnant, has relocated to a smaller apartment to cut costs while juggling part-time work and legal visits. “I’m terrified of raising our child alone,” she admitted. Aditya, permitted only one 15-minute phone call per week, described the detention center as “a prison for those without a voice” in a letter shared by his lawyers.
The couple’s plight has resonated with Indonesian communities worldwide. The Indonesian Students Association in America (PERMIAS) has lobbied their embassy in Washington, D.C., for consular intervention. “We urge the U.S. to uphold due process,” said PERMIAS chairwoman Dian Sastrowardoyo.
Broader Implications for International Students
Aditya’s case highlights growing anxieties among the 1.2 million international students in the U.S., particularly those from Asia. Visa compliance complexities, rising tuition, and political rhetoric linking immigration to national security have deterred enrollment, with Indonesian student numbers dropping 18% since 2020.
“Students aren’t just statistics—they’re future innovators,” said Rutgers professor Dr. Elena Torres, who taught Aditya. “Punishing them for bureaucratic delays undermines America’s global standing.”
Diplomatic Efforts and Public Advocacy
The Indonesian Embassy has confirmed it is “aware of the case” and providing consular support but emphasized it cannot interfere in U.S. legal processes. Meanwhile, protesters gathered outside ICE’s Newark office on April 10, demanding Aditya’s release. “Education is not a crime!” chanted Rutgers students, echoing similar rallies in Boston and Los Angeles.
Ethical Debates and the Path Forward
Critics argue crowdfunding immigration battles places undue burden on families. “It’s tragic that justice now depends on GoFundMe generosity,” said activist Luis Hernandez of the National Immigration Forum. Pro-immigration lawmakers, however, see Aditya’s case as a rallying cry for policy reforms, including amnesty for minor visa violations and detention alternatives.
As legal proceedings drag on, Peyton remains hopeful. “We just want a fair chance,” she said. “Aditya deserves to meet his child and finish his degree.”
The Harsono family’s fight underscores the human cost of America’s fractured immigration system. With the fundraiser gaining traction and legal teams preparing for a June court hearing, advocates stress that Aditya’s fate could set a precedent for thousands of international students navigating similar uncertainties. As Madison Widner vowed, “We won’t stop until he’s home.”
