Ukrainian Woman Detained by ICE at Green Card Interview Despite Having Legal Status in US
During a green card interview in Milwaukee, Viktoriia Bulavina was unexpectedly detained by ICE despite being in the US legally.
A routine immigration appointment in Milwaukee took a shocking turn when Viktoriia Bulavina, a 33-year-old Ukrainian national, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite having a valid green card application. Bulavina, who fled Russia's invasion of her home country in 2023, had been living in the US with her American husband, whom she married after entering the country.
According to her husband and immigration filings, Bulavina maintained proper documentation throughout her stay, including a valid humanitarian parole status. The US grants this provision to individuals escaping conflict or dangerous conditions. She and her husband had submitted the necessary paperwork to adjust her status, and Bulavina had no prior immigration violations, no pending warrants, and a clean record.
Bulavina's lawyer stated that she received an official notice to appear for a marriage-based green card interview, which she attended without incident. However, moments after the interview, ICE officers allegedly coordinated with USCIS officials to detain her. Her lawyer insisted that Bulavina remained fully compliant with US immigration law and had not been accused of any wrongdoing.
ICE has not publicly disclosed the legal basis for her arrest, but confirmed that she was taken into custody pending review of her immigration status. The incident has sparked concerns among immigration attorneys, who warn that even a routine green card interview can turn into an arrest. Bulavina's detention has raised questions about the US immigration system and the treatment of individuals who have followed the rules.
