Igor, an artist and a sole breadwinner for the family, who fled his country because of his anti-war activism, was suddenly detained in Texas when he came to a routine ICE check-in. He left behind his eight-month-old daughter whose first tooth has just erupted.

While waiting to prove his case, for roughly two years, Igor lived openly in Wimberley, TX, and fully complied with ICE supervision. He reported to ICE four times without any issues — on June 6, 2024; December 19, 2024; January 6, 2025; and February 3, 2025. During this time, he was the sole breadwinner for our family, creating amazing oil and watercolor portraits of pets and individuals, while his wife Liza pursued a master’s degree. After our daughter was born eight months ago, Igor also became a primary caregiver, helping care for her while continuing to support our family.

At his most recent routine check-in, Igor was suddenly detained, with officers citing “new policies,” while explicitly confirming that this decision was not caused by anything he did.

We need to urgently file a habeas corpus petition in federal court to challenge this detention (because every day the laws are getting stricter) and seek due process, so Igor can fight his case while being with his family, not from detention.

Detention has already taken a serious toll. Igor has documented PTSD and gastritis, both of which have worsened in custody due to stress and lack of access to care. His wife Liza also has scoliosis, which makes it physically difficult to lift and carry our daughter, who weighs over 20 pounds now, as well as ADHD and depression, making Igor’s sudden absence especially destabilizing for our family and our infant daughter.

Funds raised will be used for:

• Attorney fees (minimum $6,500) to file a federal habeas corpus petition

• Phone and communication costs, so Igor can stay in touch with his wife and human rights organizations

• Food and basic necessities beyond the minimum provided in detention

• if anything's left - gas and travel costs to visit Igor at the South Texas ICE Processing Center, which is over three hours away from where we live.

If you would like to contact Igor, you can send him physical mail or text messages through the GettingOut app or site (https://www.gettingout.com/.) this can really can cheer him up!

(Please message me for his A-number so that you are able to contact him.)

Visits are also possible, and if you are able to visit Igor to help support him during this extremely dark time, it would mean a great deal to our family.

If you are able to donate or share, we are deeply grateful.

Thank you for standing with our family!