MMA fighter's wife fighting ICE to save him from deportation into Russia draft

Amirkhon "Amir" Dzhuraev was detained by ICE in November during a check-in at Federal Plaza in New York City, despite having a work permit and pending green card application, his wife says

A newly married woman is battling to prevent her MMA fighter husband from being deported by ICE to Russia, where she claims he faces compulsory military service.

Amirkhon "Amir" Dzhuraev was taken into custody by ICE in November during a standard check-in at Federal Plaza in New York City, despite possessing a work permit and a pending green card application, according to his wife.

Amir is currently held in a Louisiana detention facility, where his wife, Breanne Dzhuraev, communicates with him via video calls, noting he "looks very pale and sick" after shedding 30 pounds.

Breanne, who initially told her story to Sell Us Your Story, stated that deportation would send him directly to the war's front lines after he escaped repeated Russian conscription threats.

"My husband went to his ICE check-in, and when he went there, they noticed he's been here three years," Breanne said.

"Pending asylum is supposed to be approved within that one-year timeline, and I guess due to his ineffective counsel, he never had a proper filing of his asylum."

The competitive MMA fighter and air duct technician was born in Tajikistan but relocated to Russia as a young child. He arrived in the US from Moscow in 2023.

He now faces deportation despite holding a work permit and having a pending green card application through his marriage to Breanne, a US citizen, she says.

He received multiple military conscription notices beginning at age 19. Breanne, 23, a massage therapist from Bellmore, New York, revealed that her husband disregarded the notices until authorities took more aggressive action.

"Each of those notices he was ignoring until they came to his workplace and brought him to the station and physically beat him," she said.

"They were basically threatening his life if he didn't go into the war. So he and his mother just left. His mother came with him to the United States seeking asylum."

The pair met at an H&M store in New York City just over a year ago and tied the knot last August.

Amir has been residing legally in the US with a work permit, has paid taxes, maintains a spotless criminal record, and possesses a valid driver's license and Social Security number.

During his November check-in, Breanne explained that ICE officers appeared uncertain about whether to detain Amir.

"My husband told me on the phone what was said when he went to the room was that one of the officers was kind of like, 'Oh no, he's fine. He's fine,'" she said.

"But then the other officer was like, 'Oh no, we have to take him. So then they took him, I guess, just to fill their quota of detaining immigrants."

The circumstances deteriorated during a February 6 court hearing when an immigration judge ordered Amir's deportation, pointing to delays in his green card processing.

"The judge said it was taking too long for USCIS to make their decision, and since keeping my husband in detention is too expensive for the government, it's better to just order removal," Breanne said. "We have appealed the immigration judge's decision and have a habeas corpus petition pending in federal court."

She added: "He is not eligible for bond solely due to his classification as an 'arriving alien,' meaning only ICE has the authority to release him."

The judge's ruling alarmed Breanne as it would result in Amir being returned to Russia, where he faces severe repercussions.

"The judge ordered removal back to Russia, where my husband fled his draft summons and would be put into the war immediately, arrested upon arrival," she said.

Amir is presently being held at Jackson Parish Correctional Center in Jonesboro, Louisiana, where Breanne described the conditions as appalling.

"It's this big room with a hundred other men, bunk beds everywhere, and they're allowed outside maybe once a week," she said.

"He's lost 30 pounds and looks very pale and sick. Having him try to wait another 10 months whilst this appeal is pending is just ridiculous."

The imprisonment has significantly impacted Breanne, who was diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder as a result.

She was forced to give up her apartment and relocate to her mother's home, whilst legal expenses have climbed to $40,000.

"I've sent about 10 parole requests. I get no answers from ICE. I've tried to reach out to Congress. I've gotten no response," she said. Despite having three different lawyers handling various parts of the case, Breanne continues to publicly campaign for her husband's release via social media and a GoFundMe initiative.

She stated: "I would just like ICE to see the liability of what could happen if my husband gets deported."

ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A GoFundMe has been set up for the fighter.