Bushel Hosts Informational Event for Two Russian Doctors Seeking Asylum in Delaware County, Nov 4

DELHI, NY— Bushel invites the community for an urgent, special event to help two Russian doctors make their way from an ICE detention facility in Louisiana to settle in Delaware County, New York. This event is organized by the Delaware County Citizens for Refugee Support (DCCRS). It is free and open to the public; masks are optional but encouraged. Bushel is located at 106 Main Street, Delhi, ground floor.

Maria and Boris are Russian dissidents and medical doctors who have been active supporters of Alexei Navalny’s opposition to Vladimir Putin’s regime and campaigners against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After constant harassment by Russian police Maria and Boris fled to the US and requested political asylum. They ended up at a privately run detention camp in Louisiana where they have endured horrific mistreatment including limited drinking water, substandard meals, and overcrowded and unsafe conditions. Throughout their 6-plus month detention, DCCRS member Dan Gashler (SUNY-Delhi history professor) has been speaking with Maria and Boris as a volunteer advocate. Gashler explains: “To be released from the facility, Maria and Boris must secure bonds and have a plan in place for resettlement. DCCRS is welcoming Maria and Boris to resettle in Delaware County.”

During the Nov 4th event at Bushel, Gashler will give context on the broken refugee processing system in the US and share an interview he conducted with Boris describing his and Maria’s situation in Russia and now in US immigration detention. There will be time for a Q&A and volunteer sign-ups to aid and welcome Maria and Boris in our area.

DCCRS has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise $25,000 to help Boris and Maria transition from asylum seekers to productive and valued residents of Delaware County. (https://www.gofundme.com/f/refugee-support-for-boris-and-maria) Boris and Maria need accommodations, medical attention, legal assistance, and financial support until they are able to secure work permits. DCCRS member and economist Sangeeta Pratap notes, “Refugees and asylum seekers have made important contributions to the New York State economy, contributing their skills and paying taxes to the community they live in.” DCCRS also seeks housing options and volunteers to help with food, transportation, supplies, translation, and neighborly support. Please email DCCRS if you can help in any of these areas. (delcocrs@gmail.com)

Formed in 2021 by Delaware County residents Sangeeta Pratap, Esther Lee, Dan Gashler, and Mina Takahashi, Delaware County Citizens for Refugee Support (DCCRS) is a burgeoning community-based organization founded with the aim of helping to support refugee resettlement efforts in Delaware County. DCCRS welcomes others in the community to join in this work. (email: delcocrs@gmail.com; website in formation)

BUSHEL is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, volunteer-led, mixed-use space dedicated to art, agriculture, ecology, and action. It is located at 106 Main Street in Delhi. For more information, go to www.bushelcollective.org.

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