A Russian couple who fled to the United States after protesting the war in Ukraine are now seeking to leave the country voluntarily, following the detention of the husband by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Sergei and Marina, who asked not to be fully identified due to fears of reprisal, had been building a new life in California after escaping Russia in 2022.
On 27 March, Sergei was arrested during a routine check-in at ICE's San Francisco office and transferred to a detention centre 250 miles from his family. His asylum claim was cut off, and he faces indefinite detention or deportation to Russia, where anti-war protesters face severe crackdowns. The couple, who have a two-year-old daughter who is a US citizen, now believe their best option is to leave the US together.
Marina said she fled Russia to avoid imprisonment and never expected to face a similar situation in the US. She fears being arrested herself and separated from her daughter. The couple have asked their lawyer to petition for Sergei's release so they can depart for Serbia.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, over 8,300 Russian nationals have applied for asylum in the US, with about 85% granted in 2024. However, advocates report an increase in detentions of Russian and other post-Soviet asylum seekers since mid-2024, particularly under the Trump administration, where check-in arrests have risen.
