Help Valeriia Razheva Escape Persecution
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I am Valeriia Razheva, a political asylum seeker in the United States, currently navigating a complex and prolonged legal process to secure my safety. I arrived in the U.S. four years ago on a J1 Visa, which includes a requirement to return to Russia for two years before I can change my immigration status. However, due to the severe political persecution I face, returning to Russia is not an option for me.
As an anti-war, anti-Kremlin activist, feminist, pacifist, and LGBTQ+ advocate, I have spent the past several years actively opposing the Russian government's oppressive policies. I co-founded the U.S. branch of the Feminist Anti-War Resistance (FAWR), a grassroots organization that emerged in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. FAWR is committed to fighting war, patriarchy, and censorship in Russia, and advocating for civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and peace. The organization operates as a non-hierarchical collective, and its work has been critical in mobilizing resistance efforts, including protests and awareness campaigns against the war and political repression.
My activism has been directly targeted by the Russian government. In response to our efforts, FAWR has been labeled an “undesirable” organization. This designation exposes anyone affiliated with us to severe criminal charges, including imprisonment. Under Russian law, being associated with an "undesirable" organization can lead to up to 6 years in prison. The Russian government has already jailed activists and human rights defenders under these laws. The situation has only become more dangerous since FAWR was branded a “foreign agent” in December 2022.
Here are some of the critical actions I have led and participated in, each of which puts me at significant risk:
- June 2022: I organized the "Save the Children in Ukraine" protest, symbolizing the suffering of Ukrainian children by displaying toys covered in red paint. This protest raised awareness of the war’s impact on children, and QR codes were placed on the toys to provide information about the causes of the conflict and ways people could help.
- June 12, 2022: I led anti-nationalism protests in solidarity with Ukraine, opposing Russian nationalism and war.
- June 2022: I participated in Pride Month protests, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in Russia and calling attention to the intersection of anti-war and LGBTQ+ activism.
- September 2022: I helped organize protests in Salt Lake City, Utah, to mark six months of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing devastation of the war.
- December 2022: I launched an anti-war illustration challenge on social media to raise awareness about the human cost of the war and encourage others to speak out.
- February 2023: I took part in the “The February Lasts a Year” protest in New York City, where we projected facts about the war onto Union Square to inform the public of the continuing conflict.
- Ongoing: I have coordinated letter-writing campaigns and fundraising events to support political prisoners in Russia in collaboration with organizations like FreeNavalny and RUSA LGBTQ+.
In addition to my work with FAWR, I have volunteered for HelpDesk Media, an independent organization providing vital news coverage and psychological support during the war. HelpDesk Media has also been labeled an "undesirable" organization by the Russian government. As a HelpLine Manager, I was responsible for managing an online helpline that provided advice on how to protect oneself, support Ukraine, and cope with the psychological toll of the war. The legal consequences for anyone associated with HelpDesk Media are severe, and I face the possibility of criminal prosecution and imprisonment if I return to Russia.
In February 2023, I was accepted to the college where I now work part-time. The Russian government has also designated the college an “undesirable” organization, which increases the risks associated with my academic and professional affiliations. Public affiliation with these organizations puts me at severe risk of legal action, including arrest.
In March 2024, the Russian Ministry of Education announced plans to designate the YEAR Exchange Program, which brought me to the U.S., as “undesirable.” This designation further isolates Russian citizens like myself from international educational exchanges. If I were forced to return to Russia under these conditions, I would face interrogation, imprisonment, and charges of being an agent of foreign influence, which could carry up to 10 years in prison.
To address my situation, I have applied for a J1 Waiver, which typically takes 18 months but has now been delayed for over three years. The legal process has been prolonged, and I am now working with an immigration lawyer to expedite the process. The cost of this legal assistance is $8,000 – an amount that I am struggling to cover as a student.
The risks I face are real, and the journey has been incredibly difficult. However, I remain hopeful and deeply grateful for the support I have received from individuals and organizations that understand the importance of this fight for safety and justice.
I humbly ask for your help in this crucial moment. Any donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward covering my legal costs and helping me secure the safety I desperately need. Your support will allow me to continue my work and fight for freedom, not only for myself but for others who are also oppressed by repressive regimes.
Organizer
Valeriia Razheva
Organizer
Cruger Island, NY