Ukrainian Woman Detained in the US During Green Card Interview: What Happened.

According to ТСН: Last week, a Ukrainian woman, Viktoria Bulavina, was detained in San Diego during her final interview for obtaining a green card.

Viktoria arrived in the US in 2022 under a humanitarian program for Ukrainians affected by the war. She was reunited with her daughter, who was in the US for sports competitions, and later met her future husband in San Diego.

The couple attended the interview for a green card based on marriage. However, at the end of the meeting, agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Viktoria in front of her husband.

Viktoria's Legal Status

According to Viktoria's attorney, Caroline Matthews, she had a valid Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until April 2025 and had timely applied for its extension. Federal regulations state that during the review of an application, the status remains valid.

“She met all the requirements, complied with the laws, and had an impeccable status. There is no justification for her detention,” Matthews stated.

Detention and Detention Conditions

After her detention, Bulavina was transferred to the Otay Mesa detention center. Her husband reported that initially they had no contact, and he did not know where she was. Later, when he was able to visit her, Viktoria reported mistreatment and a lack of opportunity to contact her family.

The attorney and family continue to fight for Viktoria's rights, insisting on completing the green card process and restoring justice.

This situation highlights the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in the US, especially in the context of changing political circumstances. Viktoria's detention sparked a negative reaction from human rights advocates who are calling for a more humane approach to immigration policy and reminding us of the importance of humanitarian programs for those who have faced hardships due to war.