Ukrainian immigrant Kate Kirilenko faced a terrifying situation after a routine hearing for her and her husband Alex Uzkii's asylum case. They had fled Russia fearing persecution due to his anti-Putin politics and her Ukrainian nationality. After the hearing, federal agents arrested them unexpectedly, despite their expectation of safety. Kirilenko recalled the horror of being detained, feeling fear and confusion about their future. Although she was released due to medical reasons, she fears the uncertainty of her next court appearance and the potential impact of ongoing immigration policies.
"As soon as we exited the courtroom, we were grabbed. They directed us into the elevator and pushed us up against the wall. My husband had our documents in his hand and they tried to take them away forcefully."
"Horror. No thoughts. It was just fear," she recalled.
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