(Newswire.net — November 30, 2014) — New York, NY. (AP) In Russia, Andrew Mironov would have his doctoral degree in electrical engineering by now, and stable well paid job. Instead, he faces an uncertain future in New York City as he seeks asylum in the US. Mironov is one of the few dozen Russian homosexual fleeing homeland because of hostility and harassment.
Because he is gay, Mironov was severely beaten several times in his home city of Samara, once in the lobby of a gay bar. He feared for his life, so he decide to throw all success he had acomplished in Russia and start a new life in the US. The decision is never easy and the path is extremely harsh, however, the sacrifices have been worth it, Mironov says.
“Which is more important, happiness or success?” he asked. “I would say happiness. I feel no fear here.”
“In Russia, I would have gotten my Ph.D. this fall, had a job and health insurance,” said Mironov, 25. “Now, here, I’m nobody,” Mironov said. However, there is no regret. In fact, he lives happily with the love of his life.
The Department of Homeland Security’s latest figures show 969 Russians seek asylum. That is 34 percent more in applications for asylum by Russians from 2012. However, the US government agencies do not report details about sexual commitment, so there is no actual data on the number of gay Russian asylum seekers.
Immigration Equality, a New York-based organization which provides legal services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender immigrants, estimates the increase is due in part to the worsening anti-gay climate in Russia.
Asylum seekers in the US need to wait up to six months for the processing of their applications. During that time, the law forbids them to find a job, thus they often struggle to support themselves, even with resumes illustrating professional success.
Poltavtsev, the founder of the group Spectrum Human Rights Alliance, aiding gay Russian asylum-seekers in the Washington area, is frustrated by the rules that bar asylum-seekers from working.
“It makes no sense because most of our arrivals have advanced degrees and speak good English,” he said. “They’re capable of being productive, paying taxes, but we are not letting them do those things while they’re waiting.”