HUMSI — Human Security Initiative

Human Impact Project

A living database documenting reported immigration enforcement incidents and their human impact.

Russian trafficking survivor detained at ICE check-in, facing deportation to Russia during war

Jun 29, 2026 · Oklahoma City, OK, Russia

Milana, a Russian immigrant and trafficking survivor, was detained at ICE's Oklahoma City office during a routine immigration check-in in September 2025. She arrived in the U.S. on a fiancé visa in the early 2000s, escaped an abusive first marriage involving human trafficking, and received a removal order in 2003 that was later converted to an order of supervision requiring routine check-ins. For over 20 years, she complied with these check-ins while building a life in the U.S., raising her U.S. citizen daughter, working consistently, and marrying Roger Swope, a U.S. Army veteran. On the day of her detention, ICE suddenly acted on the dormant removal order. Her attorney, Elissa Stiles, filed multiple legal challenges including habeas corpus petitions and argued Milana qualifies for a trafficking victim visa, but all were denied. A federal judge ruled on June 29, 2026, that Milana had not cooperated with Russian consulate authorities. ICE initially attempted to deport her to Russia despite the active war and closed airspace, then considered third-country removal options. Roger has spent over $20,000 on legal efforts. Since detention, Milana has been moved multiple times between facilities in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas, shackled during transfers. Her attorney states the only remaining option is to appeal to ICE for humanitarian intervention, as Milana fears for her life if deported to Russia during the ongoing war.

Timeline

Jun 29, 2026Federal judge denied Milana's second bid for release on bond, ruling she had not cooperated with Russian consulate authorities
May 2026Attorney Elissa Stiles filed habeas corpus petition and argued Milana qualifies for trafficking victim visa; exhausted legal options including appeal for humanitarian intervention
Sep 2025Milana detained at ICE's Oklahoma City office during a routine immigration check-in
2003Milana received a removal order after her first marriage ended; order was later converted to an order of supervision requiring routine ICE check-ins
09/2025 - 06/2026Milana moved multiple times between detention facilities in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas, shackled during transfers; ICE attempted deportation to Russia, then considered third-country removal options

Sources

More incidents in Oklahoma