"White House's Conflicting Message: Flee to Safety or Face Deportation"

Despite the Biden administration's declaration that the U.S. would welcome Russians fleeing conscription into the Ukrainian conflict, some of these men have been detained and deported back to Russia, where they could be forced into the war. The U.S. has deported nearly 190 Russians since October 2022, almost three times as many as the previous year. Some Russians have refused deportation flights, forcing them into legal limbo. The U.S. asylum system has left these individuals feeling betrayed, as they face imprisonment or being sent to the front lines if returned to Russia. The number of Russians crossing the southern U.S. border has surged, with over 5,000 crossings in November and nearly 8,000 in December. Seeking asylum in the U.S. does not guarantee protection, as the government argues that conscription alone is not sufficient grounds for asylum.