A Russian family living in Charlotte says a routine immigration appointment turned into a nightmare when Department of Homeland Security agents detained the father on April 7, leaving his wife and children scrambling for legal help and basic information. Relatives say the father, Uri, is now being held in a detention facility in Georgia with limited phone access, while the couple’s youngest children continue attending school in Charlotte and a December 2026 asylum hearing still sits on the calendar.
According to WCCB Charlotte, the Babickaia family fled Russia after Uri’s political activity put him at risk and filed for asylum through the CBP One app. Family members say they had appeared for multiple check-ins at the local DHS office and that it was during their third visit that agents took Uri into custody. “There was no chance for us to stay in Russia because of political views,” Daniel Babickaia told WCCB. The family also says relatives listed on Uri’s asylum application were recently told they must now each separately defend against deportation, a shift they say leaves them with very little time to prepare.
What Happened At The DHS Office
The detention happened during a mandatory check-in at the local DHS office, a visit that is supposed to be routine but has become a source of anxiety for many immigrant families in Charlotte. Local coverage has described long lines and tense scenes at the Tyvola Centre Drive office, along with high-profile Border Patrol deployments that have sparked protests and legal challenges, according to reporting by The Charlotte Observer.
CBP Home And Concerns Over “Self-Deportation”
The Babickaia family says they first filed their claim using the CBP One app. That platform was rebranded as CBP Home in March 2025 and now includes a “Report Departure” feature that officials describe as a tool to help people arrange voluntary departure and travel assistance. The relaunch and the concerns surrounding the app’s new self-deportation function drew national scrutiny and were analyzed in coverage by AP, which noted the app’s expanded role in the administration’s departure program.
Legal Status And Next Steps
Relatives say Uri is the principal applicant on the family’s asylum case and that, after his detention, officials told them the other family members listed on his application would no longer be treated as part of a single case. Instead, each person will need separate representation in immigration court. As reported by WCCB Charlotte, the family says this change has made preparing for the December hearing far more difficult. Local legal-aid organizations such as the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy provide immigration resources and referrals for families trying to find counsel…