Nearly 22,000 Russians have tried to enter the US since Putin’s war draft

[Boiler 45,733]

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/20/americas/russian-migrants-mexico-united-states-intl-latam/index.html

 

Fearing Mikhail would be drafted, jailed or worse, the family decided to flee, embarking on a multi-country odyssey with their newborn, Philip, and toddler, Mark, that would take them through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Dubai, Mexico and ultimately to the United States – all with the help of strangers.

 

They would become part of a vast wave of Russians seeking shelter from the war in the United States. Over the past six months, data posted by American border authorities shows that the number of Russian citizens they have encountered has nearly tripled: from 1,645 Russians in August 2022 (the month before Russia’s draft began) to 4,509 in January.

 

[millefleur 5,047]

I really wonder how they will stay once humanitarian parole expires.

[Boiler 45,733]

Judging from the article looks like they will claim asylum, bit then the case was not made clear.

[millefleur 5,047]

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Judging from the article looks like they will claim asylum, bit then the case was not made clear.

That sounds about right. I hope the ones with families especially will find a way, sounds like quite a hellish journey. A loss for Russia for sure.

[Mike E 11,741]

I’m curious why the U.S. and not a country in the EU, Schengen Area, or UK?

[Dashinka 24,635]

6 minutes ago, Mike E said:

I’m curious why the U.S. and not a country in the EU, Schengen Area, or UK?

Not sure the EU is as welcoming as the US.

[Mike E 11,741]

14 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Not sure the EU is as welcoming as the US.

Seems to be true every time there is a war in Europe.  

[Boiler 45,733]

3 hours ago, Mike E said:

I’m curious why the U.S. and not a country in the EU, Schengen Area, or UK?

In no particular order

 

They want to move to the US

Easier to travel, no visa for Mexico, so just fly and drive.

Others have paved the way

US has Parole and a generous asylum system

Probably more support systems

 

[Simplytex 387]

38 minutes ago, Boiler said:

In no particular order

 

They want to move to the US

Easier to travel, no visa for Mexico, so just fly and drive.

Others have paved the way

US has Parole and a generous asylum system

Probably more support systems

 

Add to that:

• US job opportunities are generally more flexible to hiring internationals than EU (EU can still be pretty biased on hiring locals)
• Existing friends or family here
• A lot of younger Russians have a 'dream' of at least visiting a city in the US (often NYC, SF, LAX, Chicago), despite what the Kremlin says about the US
• US still is the strongest (literally) presence/advocate in the 'free' world