Number of Russians seeking asylum in the US rose drastically in 2016
In 2016, 1,912 Russian citizens asked for asylum in the U.S.A. Compared to 2015, this number increased by 31%, and since 2012, by 164%. The only time a greater number of Russians were seeking asylum in the U.S.A. was in 1994 when the American government received 2,127 applications from Russia.
Radio Free Europe reported that according to immigration lawyers, the reasons cited by Russians wishing to migrate are discrimination against the LGBTQ community, dissent concerning Vladimir Putin’s policies, and the prevalence of corruption.
“Our clients tell us about the increased level of violence. Many clients come to us because they became targets and victims of various physical attacks in Russia,” as stated to PRE by Pamela Denzer, a member of the largest American legal firm, Immigration Equality, which deals with immigrations issues.
She also added that there is also a surge of requests for asylum in other countries of the former Soviet Union.