LGBTQ+ Asylum Seeker Exposes Allegations of Abuse in Arizona Immigration Detention Center

An openly gay Russian dissident, Maksim Borisov, who is currently detained at the Eloy Detention Center in Arizona, has reported threats and abuse from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Facing imminent deportation to Russia, he fears potential torture or execution.

Borisov, 22, has been in detention for the past three months at this privately operated facility managed by CoreCivic, a corporation known for alleged human rights abuses. His case gained attention after he filed a formal complaint against a guard for harassment related to his sexual orientation. Despite his claims, CoreCivic closed the case without any action.

On May 28, Borisov received a deportation order with no option for an appeal. He alleges that an ICE officer warned him of severe consequences if he resisted deportation, even implying that he would face rape in federal prison. To escape the dire situation in Russia, he has filed a claim under the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

Borisov’s family has been critical of the Russian regime since 2018, and he actively participated in protests following the assassination of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2020. His public exposure as gay resulted in a violent attack shortly after he was outed at a Pride event in Thailand in 2023, fueling his belief that Russian intelligence monitors him closely.

“I can’t go back,” Borisov stated emphatically. “They will kill me.”

This situation sheds light on broader concerns regarding the treatment of LGBTQ+ migrants in U.S. detention centers. Advocacy organizations like Trans Queer Pueblo and RICE (Refugee and Immigrant Community Empowerment) have reported increased instances of neglect and abuse within facilities such as Eloy.

Currently, Trans Queer Pueblo is in contact with several LGBTQ+ detainees in Eloy, some of whom have chosen to self-deport due to the inhumane conditions and ICE misconduct. Reports indicate insufficient medical care, with detainees often only receiving a glass of water when seeking treatment. Chronic illnesses frequently go unaddressed, and trans individuals lack access to necessary healthcare, including hormone therapy.

Pressure on facilities for medical care often falls on the detainees’ attorneys, exacerbated by new ICE protocols that limit access to the detainees. While RICE is not directly involved in Borisov’s case, the organization has expressed concerns over the nationwide mistreatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in detention, especially under current immigration policies.