Roman Surovtsev, a former Soviet refugee who built a life in the United States after fleeing as a child, is facing deportation to war-torn Ukraine today, tearing him away from his wife and two young daughters. His case highlights the human toll of immigration enforcement policies that target long-term residents with past criminal records, even as they seek redemption and stability.
Surovtsev was born in 1984 in Zhdanov, now Mariupol, Ukraine, and fled the Soviet Union with his mother and siblings at age 4 after his father died from radiation poisoning following the Chernobyl disaster. The family entered the US lawfully, settling in California, but struggled with poverty, leading Surovtsev to commit an armed carjacking as a teenager. He served a 13-year prison sentence, was released in 2014, and lost his green card, rendering him stateless but compliant with immigration checks for years.
In a dramatic turn, Surovtsev was detained during a routine check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on August 1, 2025, and has not seen his family since. His wife, Samantha, and their daughters, aged 3 and 5, have been left grappling with his absence, as he missed birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Samantha has told the girls their father is at work, but the emotional strain is palpable, with the older daughter frequently clutching a locket with his photo.
The Department of Justice confirmed in a court filing that Surovtsev is scheduled for deportation to Ukraine on November 17, 2025, as part of a flight carrying 83 immigrants. His attorneys argue that many detainees, including Surovtsev, face conscription into the Ukrainian army upon arrival, jeopardizing their lives in an active war zone. Ukraine has been ravaged by conflict, with cities like Mariupol suffering extensive destruction and civilian casualties.
Surovtsev’s legal team has made significant strides, successfully vacating his carjacking charge and filing to reopen his immigration case, which could restore his lawful permanent resident status. However, the deportation flight is poised to depart before a judge can rule, leaving his fate uncertain. His attorneys emphasize that he poses no flight risk and has always complied with supervision orders.
Despite rebuilding his life—finding faith, starting a painting business, and raising a family—Surovtsev now confronts the prospect of being sent to a country he hasn’t known since childhood. He does not speak Ukrainian and has minimal ties to Ukraine, having lived in the US for over three decades. His case reflects broader issues in immigration policy, where individuals with reformed lives are caught in enforcement crackdowns.
The imminent deportation has mobilized community support and legal advocacy, underscoring calls for due process and humanitarian considerations in immigration cases. As Surovtsev and others await potential last-minute reprieves, their stories illuminate the complex interplay between justice, redemption, and the harsh realities of geopolitical conflicts.
