Two Russian Women Detained at Camp Pendleton by ICE

Two Russian women, Natalia Dudina and Krystina Malyshko, are currently in custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following their arrest at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California on January 17, 2024. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the women are facing removal and immigration proceedings.

Dudina and Malyshko were apprehended at the main gate of the base by Marines. According to DHS, the women had previously been encountered by immigration officials at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in December 2021 but were released at that time. The DHS statement criticized the Biden administration for allowing the women to enter without detaining them, but it did not clarify whether the women possessed valid visas during their entry into the United States.

Further complicating the situation, Dudina had a prior arrest in July 2023 by the Los Angeles Police Department for domestic violence and assault. She was subsequently released by local law enforcement without informing ICE, as noted by DHS. Both women are now set to remain in ICE custody, with Dudina slated for removal proceedings and Malyshko facing immigration proceedings.

Details of the Incident

DHS has not disclosed the specific location of the women’s detention. Reports from Russian media, including a post on the SHOT channel on Telegram, suggest that the women were driving to San Diego when they mistakenly approached Camp Pendleton, allegedly seeking a nearby McDonald’s restaurant.

The Russian Embassy in Washington has acknowledged that ICE informed them about the detention of Dudina and Malyshko due to their “unauthorized entry” onto the military base. The embassy’s consular staff is currently in discussions with U.S. immigration authorities to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and to advocate for the women’s rights.

In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for Camp Pendleton, 2nd Lt. Natalia Rhodes, emphasized that the base does not comment on individual enforcement matters for operational and security reasons. She reiterated that valid credentials are mandatory for anyone seeking access to the base and confirmed that Camp Pendleton collaborates with federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE, to ensure security protocols are followed.

This incident raises questions about the complexities of immigration enforcement and the protocols followed at military installations. As the situation unfolds, further details regarding the legal proceedings faced by Dudina and Malyshko are anticipated.