Andrei Gerdiukov, a Russian national who sought asylum with his wife Polina Chertushkina after entering the U.S. at the Texas border in February 2024, was later detained by border officials in Miami and transferred to the D. Ray James detention facility in Folkston, Georgia, despite the couple having settled in New York and purchased an apartment and car while awaiting processing. His wife, who was released under an electronic-monitoring program, said he was placed in solitary confinement after participating in the hunger strike and a group demonstration at the facility. Chertushkina said she relies on her husband for support with her own medical issues and hopes he will soon be released, while Gerdiukov said he did not expect the hardships they have faced after coming to the U.S. seeking asylum.