Russian Asylum Seekers Face US Detention: From One Gulag to Another?
Since last summer, a shift in US asylum policy has led to increased detention of Russian and other post-Soviet asylum seekers, with some held for over a year, separated from families, and facing prolonged delays in court hearings. This contrasts sharply with prior practice under the Biden administration, where release pending hearings was the norm. The reasons for this change remain unclear, though speculation includes concerns about espionage and insufficient resources to process asylum claims. Several individuals have shared their experiences of prolonged detention and family separation, highlighting the difficulties faced by these asylum seekers.
John Q. Hosedrinker