Asylum Support: Mariia, Boris, Ivan, and Vladimir

First to arrive, 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.

Recently, Boris’s cellmates Vladimir and Ivan were released from detention. They will also need the same support that the community extended to Mariia and Boris. With this in mind, we have extended our goal an additional $20,000 to get Vladimir and Ivan settled, and continue our support of Mariia and Boris. We are currently searching for housing for all four of them starting April 2023. We also hope to raise enough to buy an inexpensive car and support them financially until they are able to secure work permits. Other than money, offers of food, transportation, accommodation, and above all friendship, are greatly appreciated. Please go to www.delcocrs.org for more information on specific ways to help in these areas.