Stateless in Paradise: A Stranded Soul’s Fight for Freedom
New York Bestseller GOLD AWARD WINNER
July 2026
Stateless in Paradise is the deeply human journey of a man living between borders. From the South Pacific to West Africa, from Eastern Europe to the United States, Mikhail’s life is shaped by movement, uncertainty, and the constant negotiations required of someone without a recognized nation.
Forced into detentions, threatened with deportations, and stranded for months in American Samoa, he confronts the global systems that decide who belongs – and who does not. Yet this memoir is also filled with connection: the kindness of strangers, the discovery of chosen family, the beauty of cultures encountered, and the love story that becomes his safe harbor.
A powerful meditation on identity, resilience, and the meaning of home.
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Mikhail Sebastian Okunuga is a multidisciplinary professional, creative entrepreneur, and global citizen whose life journey spans cultures, continents, and extraordinary experiences. Born in the former Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (Azerbaijan SSR), Mikhail spent more than 16 years in the United States as a stateless individual before ultimately achieving U.S. citizenship.
An avid traveler with a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives, he has explored more than 77 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Cuba. These experiences have shaped his global outlook and fueled his passion for creativity, entrepreneurship, and human connection.
Mikhail is married to Quadri Okunuga, and together they enjoy an international lifestyle, dividing their time between the United States and Latvia while pursuing their personal and professional endeavors around the world.