Hello, my name is Mykyta. I am a Ukrainian aspiring filmmaker and photographer who has built a life in New York City, a place I now call home. I am seeking your support to apply for asylum and secure my future in the U.S.
My journey has been marked by the devastating impact of war in Ukraine. I was born in Donetsk, a city in the east of Ukraine, and in 2014, when I was ten, my family and I were forced to flee our home due to the first Russian invasion. We lost everything and sought refuge in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital. After years of financial hardship, we could no longer afford to live in the city, and as a last resort, we had to move to my grandma's apartment in the town of Bucha, near Kyiv, in 2019. I was accepted into a film academy in Kyiv that same year and began pursuing my dream of filmmaking . Tragically, in February 2022, history repeated itself. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukriane , and once again, my family and I found ourselves in the crosshairs of war, this time in Bucha, one of the most dangerous places as Russian forces advanced towards Kyiv. I vividly remember the terrifying night of February 24, 2022, lying on the floor of our apartment as missiles struck our town, the ground shaking and lights flickering. We knew we had to escape. Amidst the chaos of fleeing west, I learned that martial law had been implemented, preventing men aged 18-60 from leaving the country. Just a month shy of my 18th birthday, I had a heartbreaking goodbye with my father at a bus station, before my mother and I boarded a bus to safety in the Czech Republic. After a couple of months in Prague, I came to the United States all alone in May 2022 through the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program. I later transitioned to Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which is currently active until April 19, 2025. While I have applied for an extension of my status, the future of TPS for Ukrainians is currently very uncertain. With the present governmental climate, there is a significant risk that this crucial protection could be canceled altogether. This uncertainty makes it imperative that I act now to secure a more permanent legal status.
Therefore, my only viable option to remain permanently in the US, the place I now consider home, is to apply for asylum. To navigate this complex legal process effectively, I need the assistance of an experienced immigration lawyer. The estimated cost for this crucial legal support is $2400. This is a significant expense. Although I contribute to the country's economy by legally working and paying taxes in the city of my dreams – New York, my salary is simply not enough to cover a one-time cost like this. $2400 is no small amount, and I desperately need help to make this happen. I am incredibly grateful for every opportunity this country and its people have already provided me. I am dedicated to permanently live here , and I firmly believe that I can help this country and society even more if I am given a secure path to legally staying in the US for as long as possible.
The thought of being forced to return to a war-torn country is my greatest fear – it haunts my sleep, often manifesting as a recurring nightmare where I find myself back in Ukraine. The crushing realization that I've lost everything I've worked for and will no longer be able to leave jolts me awake in a cold sweat.
Every dollar raised will go directly towards the legal fees required to file my asylum application. Your generous contribution, no matter the size, will make a profound difference in my life and help me build a stable and secure future in the United States. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story and for considering supporting my journey. I will be sure to keep you updated on the progress of my case. Please also consider sharing this fundraiser with your network to help me reach my goal. Your support means the world to me.
