Supporting people in detentions
In 2024 asylum seekers from Russia encountered a dramatically different reality at the U.S. border. Instead of being processed and released while their immigration cases moved through the courts - as had often been the practice in previous years - many were taken into immigration detention and held there for months waiting for the their immigration process. A typical case might be about an ordinal married couple. They could not stay silent and joined an anti-way rally, or maybe distributed several leaflets, or maybe made several public comments in social media. They got detained on that rally, or maybe some neighbor reported their leaflets to authorities, but they got into authorities attention and received a citation. Next time nonetheless they went to constitutionally protected yet practically outlawed protest in Russia, got caught and bitten by police, then received summons, or were violently raided at home. At any count, they urgently fled the country fearing for safety and liberty.
Even though none of our typical patrons committed any real crime*, the USA treated them like criminals by putting in detentions with prison-like conditions, for months and, as of today, even years. We are one of a few Russian-centric initiatives doing what we can to support innocent people in Northwest ICE Processing Center (Tacoma, WA) and nationwide.
We provide emotional support, basic necessities, connect to legal services and on limited basis cover costs, welcome people on their first days of freedom with temporary housing and transportation. Each case is unique and considered individually. With generous support of our donors and relentless work of our volunteers we helped dozens of people to start new lives in safety.
(*) aside from politically motivated criminal charges in Russia
Vika and Andrey: Together and Free
Vika and Andrey fled Russia fearing for their safety and freedom after they spoke up against the war. Vika spent 526 days in U.S. immigration detention, endured two transfers while shackled, and was denied adequate food, hygiene supplies, showers, and medical care. She celebrated two birthdays behind bars.
Russian Seattle for Freedom raised funds for a qualified attorney. We also covered basic goods for Vika and Andrey and their first days once they finally were released.
Katya
Katya is 26 years old and has spent a year and a half in immigration detention in southern Louisiana. She is a biotechnologist, and an LGBTQ+ person who spoke out openly in Russia against the war and the Putin regime. She gave up a successful career because she refused to work for a country that wages aggression. In February 2025, Katya won protection from deportation - a final ruling with no right to appeal. It should have been a victory. But despite the court’s decision, she was not released for more than six months now. Her detention had no time limit.
Thanks to community support we collected funds, hired a lawyer and won the case in front of a federal judge. It is only to collective action and commitment, Katya is free now and rebuilding her life in safety.
Aiur
We’ve been in touch with Aiur for long time till he got a chance to leave detention and wait for his hearing as a free man. Our organization partnered with Nutag Foundation and provided supporting documents. We also visited the court hearing to show our commitment for Aiur. Now Aiur is a free person and a member of our local community.
Albert is an LGBTQ+ asylum seeker who requested protection in the United States through CBP One. Although an immigration judge granted him asylum in August 2024, a prolonged appeal kept him detained for more than 13 months. During that time, he was held in four facilities, faced threats from other detainees, and was denied necessary medical care.
When Albert was transferred from the Tacoma detention center to a state prison in Alaska, Russian Seattle for Freedom mobilized the community. We contacted Senator Maria Cantwell, organized a letter-writing campaign to members of Congress, and provided supporters with instructions and a letter template. Public pressure helped bring Albert back from Alaska to Washington. We continued supporting Albert until he was finally released.
