U.S. Visa Freeze Puts Emergency Repatriation of Stranded Orthodox Couple in Jeopardy
Belarus included in indefinite suspension of immigrant visas as U.S. citizen and wife race to file last-minute embassy request amid illness, financial strain, and growing uncertainty.
JAN. 21, 2025 — A verified U.S.-based emergency repatriation fundraiser was launched in October 2025 to help a U.S. citizen, Valentin Sergief, and his wife, Anastasia, return to the United States after being stranded in Belarus for more than two years. Anastasia is a citizen of Belarus.
Now, matters have become even more complicated as the U.S. State Department has implemented an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing on 75 countries — including Belarus. Valentin told the Union of Orthodox Journalists of America that the couple has been scrambling to put together a last-minute emergency filing with the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw before the freeze went into effect on Wednesday.
Failure to submit their application by January 20 could have frozen Anastasia’s immigration case for months or years — time the couple says they do not have.
The couple reports that the past three weeks have been marked by a series of setbacks. Efforts to gather required medical documentation were delayed after a laboratory provided unusable test results lacking proper verification, forcing donors to step in to cover additional costs. Compounding the crisis, both fell seriously ill with food poisoning shortly after news of the visa freeze broke, leaving them bedridden for several days and dependent on donated funds for safe food.
Despite these challenges, submitting the application ahead of the suspension allows their case to enter the system, though no guarantees of approval or expedited processing remain. Now, they are in "wait and see" mode as they hope for a response from the Embassy or a change in the U.S. State Department's policy.
"We don't know what to do about this indefinite U.S. immigration freeze for my wife and our health situation and the food poisonings we keep getting hit with out here in Belarus," Valentin said. "But we will do whatever we can that depends on us so we can come home. Everything else is up to God and to those thinking of us.
Supporters are being urged to assist through continued donations, sharing the fundraiser to demonstrate community backing (which will help with the case as it is examined by the Embassy), and prayer. The couple emphasized that financial contributions are currently sustaining basic needs, and that they had also been covering legal and medical costs required for the embassy filing. Valentin also particularly noted that getting the couple added to prayer lists is appreciated.
Background
The couple married in July 2023 at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Salt Lake City. One month later, Anastasia was required to return to Belarus to complete a state-mandated work assignment tied to her music education. Valentin accompanied her, expecting a short stay while supporting them through remote work.
Their situation deteriorated in October 2025 when Valentin’s sole source of remote income ended abruptly after his client replaced his role with artificial intelligence. Because Belarus is under U.S. and international sanctions, Valentin has been unable to secure new remote employment with American companies. Fundraiser organizers say the couple has exhausted savings, relied on credit cards for basic expenses, and remains unable to earn enough locally to fund their return.
The fundraiser also outlines serious health concerns for both individuals, citing chronic conditions worsened by prolonged isolation and limited access to appropriate nutrition and care. According to the campaign, "Valentin has a permanent hormonal disorder (hypogonadism) that has led to osteoporosis, muscle wasting, and severe fatigue. Anastasia suffers from a nervous system condition (dysautonomia) that randomly triggers debilitating nausea and migraines, often in response to food, leaving her bedridden days at a time. They depend on each other for daily care and cannot leave each other behind."
In a post made on the GoFundMe on January 18, the couple offered the following update:
Five days straight in bed. Fever and chills. Stomach cramps and pains so intense we could barely move. We got poisoned by the local chicken supply again. We couldn’t even make chicken soup – the most basic recovery food! – because the ingredients here can be so unsafe. We survived only because your previous donations allowed us to order good soup from the only restaurant in town we can trust. You literally fed us when we couldn’t feed ourselves.
Tonight is the first time we can sit up and type.
We are weak. We are exhausted. But we are not giving up.
Supporters are encouraged to donate, share the campaign, or spread awareness through personal and community networks.
UOJ will continue to report on this situation as it develops.
