Kulyk legally entered the U.S. in late 2023 along with his wife, 38, and daughter, who’s now 5. The family was sponsored by U.S. citizens as part of the Uniting 4 Ukraine program, a humanitarian program set up in April 2022 to allow Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s war to live and work in the U.S. on “parole.”

Once the initial two-year parole period expires, entrants can file for re-parole to remain in the country longer. That’s exactly what Kulyk says he did. His wife and daughter’s applications were approved. But his remained pending.

He said he was putting groceries in his car on Jan. 1 when he was approached by three ICE agents.

“I explained to the ICE officers that the war was killing people, that my wife had a disability, that it was violence, terrorism which we had escaped from but one of them began to laugh,” Kulyk told The Daily Beast. “I asked why he was laughing and I was told that he was pro-Russian, wanted Russia to win the war.”

  • SinningStromgald@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    “I asked why he was laughing and I was told that he was pro-Russian, wanted Russia to win the war.”

    Not surprised at all.

    • Blade9732@lemmy.world
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      I think some ICE goons should be deported to Russia, let’s see how they like being conscripted when they get there.

      • jaybone@lemmy.zip
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        2 days ago

        Every single story I read about US Americans moving to Russia because they think Russia is so much better is always a hilarious read. I particularly liked the black woman who thought there wasn’t racism in Russia. 🤣🤣🤣

        • DaMummy@hilariouschaos.com
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          Just to be clear, Edward Snowden leaked classified info to US journalists, and fled the country, he tried going elsewhere, but US took his passport and Russia accepted him staying. And he choose to flee after watching Obama’s war on whistleblowers, and how some are still in prison for the first amendment in US constitution. Some even faced what many consider to be torture.

          • ygurin@lemmy.world
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            You do realize that Snowden is a pawn in Putin’s hands. It was the reason why he was taken in. He would be exchanged in a heartbeat if it meant removal of sanctions or return of some frozen assets. Snowden isn’t stupid and knows this very well himself (he didn’t have a choice).

            • DaMummy@hilariouschaos.com
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              You do realize that he’s not an American pawn for exposing that the US government spies on all its citizens. How you’re OK that your government spies on you and all its citizens, and now it’s coming out that they have a secret list of dissidents that are labeled “domestic terrorists” that even congress can’t see, is nothing short of concerning. Let alone the fact that 2nd Amendment also doesn’t apply anymore, as you can’t have a gun at a protest against your secret police that are wearing face masks. But sure… Russia, Putin, Iran, and Venezuela.

          • jaybone@lemmy.zip
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            I was going to add a note at the end of my comment about Snowden, but decided not to. That doesn’t really apply to what I was talking about.

            • DaMummy@hilariouschaos.com
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              It’s a US citizen that moved to Russia because people like him were being jailed and tortured in US, and it’s better in Russia for him, and he can, and does speak his mind. So no, it’s not “every single story”

          • MartianHills@lemmy.world
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            That was a wild ride. Snowden was stateless after his passport was revoked and Russia accepted him in transit to another country.

            • DaMummy@hilariouschaos.com
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              He wanted to go to Ecuador first, but his passport was revoked while he was in Russia, where he stopped on his flight from Hong Kong. He’s still in Russia, openly speaking on Twitter all the time.

        • Triasha@lemmy.world
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          Holy shit, that’s not just putting your face in the leopards mouth that’s crawling into it’s stomach as hard as you can.

    • Skullgrid@lemmy.world
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      it also doesn’t make sense.

      “I want russia to win the war,that’s why I’m sending reinforcements to ukraine”

      • ZombiFrancis@sh.itjust.works
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        They’re not thinking that far ahead and likely give zero shits either way.

        I bet they chose to tell this guy they support Russia just to make arresting this guy more abusive.

      • Carmakazi@piefed.social
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        Russiaboos think that no amount of bodies or western equipment is actually hurting Russia, only delaying the inevitable complete capitulation. He’s happy he gets to, in his eyes, send a Ukrainian to die pointlessly.