The Biden administration, without public announcement, resumed deportations of Russians who fled to American soil due to fear of the mobilization ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes The Guardian.

Immigration advocates were caught off guard when a young Russian man who came to the U.S. to escape Vladimir Putin’s efforts to mobilize citizens to fight in Ukraine was suddenly deported from the U.S. back to Russia over the weekend.

He was among several Russian asylum seekers who arrived in the US last year.

Now they fear that the US government will return them to Russia, where they could face prison or be quickly sent to the front lines, where Russia has seen tens of thousands of casualties.

“US Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to enforce immigration laws in a humane, efficient and professional manner. The service facilitates transfers and removals of non-citizens via commercial airlines and charter flights in support of mission requirements,” the federal agency said this week, adding that it “conducts removals to countries, including Russia, in accordance with country deportation directives.” .

News of the resumption of deportations to Russia comes just over a year after the Biden administration was reported to have suspended deportation flights to Russia, Ukraine and seven other European countries during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is not known when the deportations to Russia resumed. The White House did not respond to The Guardian’s request.

Fear of recruitment does not fall under the criteria for asylum

Migrants from Russia have come to the US believing they can receive asylum and be protected from deportation thanks to the government’s stated position. The now apparent policy change has caused confusion among migrants and their advocates, who have little time left to make plans.

Among the clients of Jennifer Scarborough, a Texas attorney, are four Russians who entered the United States through Mexico and sought asylum, citing fear of being drafted to fight in Ukraine.

Scarborough said she was told by immigration officials that one of her clients was deported over the weekend.

Russians seeking asylum in the US must explain to immigration officials that there is a “substantial likelihood” they will face persecution or torture if they return home because they fear being drafted to fight in Ukraine and the consequences if they do not comply.

Immigration officials ruled that fear of recruitment did not meet the necessary criteria, and the attorney’s clients went to an immigration judge, who agreed that they did not meet the criteria for asylum, Scarborough said.

The men now have deportation orders, meaning they can be deported to Russia at any time.

Follow the latest developments from The 389th day of the war in Ukraine LIVETEXT on HOTNEWS.RO.