Russian Scientist Describes ICE Conditions: 'Like an Animal in a Cage'

A gay Russian scientist who has spent nearly 10 months in ICE detention after a mistake led to the revocation of his visa has told Newsweek of the harsh conditions he is living in, saying he was treated like an "animal in a cage."

He fears being deported to Russia, where the government has cracked down on LGBTQ+ individuals, labeling them as extremists.

Newsweek has contacted ICE via email for further comment.

Why It Matters

In November 2023, Russia officially classified LGBTQ+ individuals and activists as extremists. This designation has led to increased persecution, arrests, and violence against the community.

President Donald Trump has promised large-scale deportations as he looks to remove millions of undocumented immigrants from the country. The White House has previously said that anyone in the country illegally is a "criminal."

What To Know

Egor arrived in the United States legally on a visa in May 2024 to visit a friend in Los Angeles. A few days later, he took a short trip to Tijuana, Mexico. To comply with U.S. immigration rules, he attempted to notify authorities of his exit and reentry. However, due to an error in the process, he mistakenly submitted an asylum request instead of the required I-94 form.

When he tried to return to the U.S., he was immediately detained, his visa was revoked, and he was transferred to ICE custody during the Joe Biden administration. Since then, he has spent nearly 10 months at Winn Correctional Center in Louisiana, a facility with allegedly harsh conditions.

"My passport was "grabbed" by DHS [Department of Homeland Security] forces, and I was put in humiliating conditions without any understanding about the duration when I would be released. Winn Correctional Center, where I am 'staying' right now, has a very bad reputation for the swampy hole. If you come here, it means you can stay here a very long time," Egor said.

"Conditions in every facility were different from one another, but had the same description in common—it looks like we are in the human traffic machine," he added.

"All day we are sitting in the room for 48 people, a blurred window with a 5-mm layer of dust. TV with antenna problems. Toilets in the same space, with plastic transparent walls," Egor said.

He has described the "harsh" conditions inside ICE detention as grim. He shares a dormitory with 47 other detainees in an overcrowded and stressful environment.

"I'm scared I will go nuts if I stay here longer. My sister is trying to help me get deported to Mexico, where she has been living for almost three years. I hope that will be possible, and soon I will forget all these terrible places. I didn't expect that the United States could treat me like an animal in a cage," Egor said in a statement shared through his sister, Katya.

In 2024, the DHS' Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) launched an investigation into excessive use of force, misconduct by staff, and inadequate food and environmental health conditions.

Approximately 200 detainees engaged in a peaceful protest and hunger strike to highlight their conditions of confinement. In response, ICE officers and facility staff allegedly attacked the dorm with pepper spray.

Detainees reported that officers sprayed individuals directly in the face without warning, then exited the unit, locking doors and windows and cutting off power and water. This left detainees without the ability to rinse off the chemical agents or access medical care for several hours.

Egor said they are supposed to get two hours of yard time daily; however, he claims it usually ends up being just 40 minutes, and they have to plead to be let outside.

The food is the same every day: rice, beans, imitation meat, and boiled vegetables, with cookies for dessert. Once a week, they get a chicken leg, but there are no fruits. Meals are scheduled at 4 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. As a result, sleeping here is one of the most challenging aspects for him.

"I was detained when Biden was president, and I will be deported with Trump on the throne."

His sister, Katya, has been fighting tirelessly to secure his safe release, but as hurdles mount, his fate remains in legal limbo.

"If Egor is deported to Russia, he will face extreme danger simply because of his identity," Katya told Newsweek in an interview.

"Our family is devastated. I have been doing everything possible to prevent his deportation to Russia, but we have faced numerous legal and bureaucratic obstacles. This situation has caused immense emotional and financial strain on all of us," Katya said.

"Egor is exhausted and deeply distressed. He has spent nearly a year in detention, with no certainty about his future. He is anxious about the possibility of being deported to Russia and deeply frustrated by the bureaucratic nightmare that has kept him imprisoned over a simple mistake."

"The food quality is poor, often lacking sufficient nutrition, and detainees have limited access to proper medical care. The psychological toll of prolonged detention, combined with uncertainty about his future, will be immense," Katya said.

Egor is a trained geophysicist who has worked for major companies, including ExxonMobil's branch in Russia. His detention has not only separated him from his family, but also derailed his career.

"This prolonged detention has been disastrous for his career and financial stability. He has lost valuable time, income, and professional opportunities, all while being unable to continue his work or maintain his qualifications," Katya said.

The U.S. government has ruled that Egor must be deported. However, unless another country agrees to accept him, he could be sent back to Russia. This would put his life at risk.

Katya, who lives and works legally in Mexico, has been fighting for Egor to be deported there instead. If Mexico or another country provides official documentation agreeing to accept him, he could avoid deportation to Russia.

What People Are Saying

Katya Babin told Newsweek, "Russia has officially labeled the LGBTQ+ movement as an extremist organization, making LGBTQ+ individuals targets for persecution, imprisonment, and violence.

"Public LGBTQ+ advocacy is now criminalized, and members of the community face threats, attacks, and legal prosecution. In Chechnya, for example, there have been reports of state-sanctioned torture and killings of gay men."

What Happens Next

For now, Egor remains in ICE custody, waiting for a resolution—one that could determine whether he finds safety or is forced back into danger.