Client of the Month – Mark and Marina

This month, Benach Pitney Reilly is pleased to celebrate Mark and Marina, our latest clients to bring home a win.

Mark and Marina fled Russia in 2022 after Mark received a summons from the military ordering him to appear for mobilization. Due to his religious beliefs and his opposition to the war, Mark knew he had no option but to leave the country.

Mark and Marina grew up in the Pentecostal church. In Russia, those who practice faiths other than Russian Orthodox Christian are perceived as “others.” The 2016 Yarovaya Law labeled religious minorities, such as Pentecostals, extremists and made certain religious activities illegal. While Russian military policy allows for individuals to make religious-based requests to be excused from military service, the high demand for fighters in the war against Ukraine and the negative view of religious minorities by the government makes receiving this exemption nearly impossible.

Mark knew that he would never be able to hold and fire a weapon upon innocent Ukrainian soldiers or civilians, and that he would only be further ridiculed or punished should he try to request a religious exemption, so he felt forced to leave his home country. He traveled to the United States with his wife, where they presented themselves at the southern border to request asylum. Nearly four years after fleeing from Russia, Mark and Marina have secured protection for themselves through a grant of asylum.

The Immigration Judge found that Mark’s religious beliefs put him at risk of harm should he be forced to return to Russia, and that his punishment for evading military orders would likely be intensified given his religious convictions.

After years of fear and fighting, Mark and Marina are able to live freely in a country that accepts them and their beliefs.

Benach Pitney Reilly is so happy for Mark and Marina and is proud to have been part of their journey!