Help Bring Stan Home — Legal Defense for an Asylum Seeker

My name is Bates Jernigan, and I’m raising funds to help my close friend Stan, who is currently being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Stan came to the United States seeking asylum after fleeing persecution in Russia. He did not come here to break the law or cause harm—he came seeking safety, freedom, and the right to live without fear. Like many asylum seekers, he followed the legal process and put his faith in the protections the U.S. asylum system is meant to provide. During his time in the US, he has been working full time as an experienced software engineer and doing his best to adapt to his new life in the United States.

Despite this, Stan has been detained since November 24, just before Thanksgiving, and remains in custody while his asylum case is ongoing.

Stan has already hired an immigration attorney for his legal defense. Unfortunately, his detention has reached a point where additional legal action is necessary. Specifically, we are now seeking to retain an attorney who is licensed and qualified to file a federal habeas corpus lawsuit, a critical step to challenge his continued detention and fight for his release. Our current attorney is not licensed to file this type of federal action, making this next step both urgent and unavoidable.

Prolonged immigration detention makes it extremely difficult to defend yourself. Access to legal resources is limited, timelines are tight, and without the right representation, even strong asylum claims can fail. Time is critical.

Stan is a kind, hardworking person who has built real connections in this country. He has contributed to his community, lived peacefully, and done everything asked of him while pursuing asylum. He has done nothing wrong. Being held for months without freedom has taken a heavy emotional and financial toll on him and on those who care about him.

We are raising funds to:

Retain a qualified federal attorney to file a habeas corpus lawsuit

Continue defending Stan’s asylum case

Give Stan a fair chance at release and due process

Every donation—no matter the amount—goes directly toward legal fees needed to fight for Stan’s freedom. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser is incredibly helpful.

This is about standing up for due process, human dignity, and the fundamental right to seek asylum from persecution.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, for caring, and for helping bring Stan home.