Asylum Support: Mariia and Boris

Mariia and Boris are Russian dissidents, medical doctors, and anti-war activists. They supported Alexei Navalny’s opposition to the Putin regime and campaigned against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After constant harassment by Russian police, they fled to the US in April 2022 and requested political asylum. They ended up at a privately run detention camp in Louisiana, where they endured horrific mistreatment including limited drinking water, substandard meals, and overcrowded and unsafe living conditions. With your support we were able to pay for the bond to secure their release, and bring them here to Delaware County.

The community has opened its hearts to them: they have temporary housing, English lessons, legal aid, food deliveries, dinner invitations. They are touched and grateful for this support, and settling into their new life here.