A shocking incident has recently drawn attention to the controversial immigration policies under the Trump administration. Sergey Kostenyuk, a legal permanent resident and vocal Trump supporter, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in February after more than 30 years of living in the United States. His arrest has sparked outrage, particularly among those who argue that his detention is a stark example of the overreach of current immigration laws, which have swept up even lawful green card holders.
Kostenyuk, originally from Ukraine, arrived in the U.S. as a child refugee. For decades, he lived quietly, built a family, and contributed to the economy by selling backyard sheds and chicken coops near Spokane, Washington, with his partner, Mary Loisate. However, in February, his peaceful life took a drastic turn when undercover ICE agents appeared at his doorstep, pretending to be customers interested in purchasing a chicken coop. What followed was an unexpected arrest that has now led to months of legal and emotional turmoil for his family.
Loisate, a U.S. citizen, was left to manage their household, including their two young children, while Kostenyuk was detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington. The arrest was part of a broader crackdown on immigration, especially against individuals with criminal backgrounds or those considered a threat to public safety. Kostenyuk, who had previously been convicted of felony theft charges in 2018, is now facing uncertain prospects as the government decides whether to pursue his deportation.
Kostenyuk’s case highlights a growing concern: under President Trump’s tough immigration stance, even lawful residents are not immune from detention or deportation if they have prior criminal convictions. Although the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows green card holders to remain in the country indefinitely, they risk removal if they commit crimes or fail to adhere to immigration law.
For Loisate, the ordeal has been harrowing. “My partner was a huge supporter of Trump,” she explained to a local NPR station. “He was proud of what Trump was doing with immigration. He had Trump flags everywhere. But now, it feels like he’s being punished for it.” Her comments reveal the disillusionment many people like her feel when policies they once supported directly affect their lives.
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Amanda Ng, an attorney from the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, said the case underscores a critical issue with the administration’s immigration approach: the new arrest quotas seem indiscriminate, detaining individuals who may not pose a threat. “Although some criminal convictions can have immigration consequences,” Ng pointed out, “criminal proceedings and immigration cases should be treated separately.”
Kostenyuk’s supporters argue that he should not be held responsible for actions he committed years ago, particularly when the charges were minor and he has since lived a law-abiding life. His felony conviction involved the theft of a television and tools, for which he paid restitution and served a brief jail sentence. Since then, he has been a responsible father and partner, contributing to his community.
Despite the controversial nature of his arrest, ICE officials insist that the actions taken align with the Trump administration’s broader goal of enforcing immigration laws and protecting U.S. citizens. “Those who violate the law will be detained and removed as necessary,” said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Homeland Security, in a previous statement to the press.
This case has reignited the debate over the fairness of current immigration policies. Critics argue that such measures often lack due process, causing harm to families and individuals who have built lives in the U.S. In contrast, proponents argue that the tougher stance is necessary to discourage illegal immigration and remove individuals who have criminal backgrounds.
For now, Kostenyuk’s case remains unresolved. He was released from detention on April 23 after a series of hearings. But the fear of deportation lingers, particularly given the current turmoil in Ukraine, which remains embroiled in a conflict with Russia.
The broader implications of this case highlight a tension between security and fairness in immigration enforcement, and it serves as a reminder that even those who have lived in the U.S. for decades may find themselves at risk under the current policies.
As the case continues to develop, many will be watching closely to see if there are changes to the current immigration strategy or if more individuals like Kostenyuk will find themselves caught in the crosshairs of a system struggling to balance enforcement with human rights.
