“Every child deserves love, stability, and the chance to feel safe in their mother’s arms.”
My Story
My name is Alexandra Bogdanova. I am a Russian citizen and the mother of a young American-citizen son. For years I have lived through emotional pain, legal battles, immigration uncertainty, and separation from my child.
From the day he was born, I was his primary caregiver. I fed him, comforted him, and spent nearly every day and night with him. He became the center of my world.
As my marriage deteriorated, my immigration status and my love for my son were repeatedly used against me. My greatest fear was being separated from my child — and that is exactly what happened. The most valuable thing taken from me was not money or property. It was my son: his milestones, his hugs, and the chance to be the mother I had always been.
The Accusations I Faced
I was accused of being a “flight risk.” After USCIS denied my marriage-based green-card application and gave me 30 days to leave the country, an airline ticket to Russia was purchased for me — using someone else’s email, phone number, and credit card. I never intended to leave. Yet that ticket was later used in court to portray me as someone planning to flee. My only purpose in staying has always been to remain my son’s mother.
I was also accused of taking $150,000 — an accusation that ignored important facts and made no logical sense. Throughout the relationship I paid many of our bills and expenses from my own savings. If I supposedly took everything, then what did I leave with? Not the house, not the vehicles, not the tools or equipment — all of it remained behind.
A Legal System I Could Not Afford
I did everything I could to protect my relationship with my son. I spent more than $60,000 on attorneys and legal representation, believing the system would protect my rights.
My most recent attorney — with more than 30 years of experience — failed to file a motion for reconsideration on time. I had paid nearly $10,000 and trusted that the deadline would be protected. Because of that error, I lost the opportunity to have the court’s decision reviewed.
I searched for other attorneys across different counties in California. Many refused my case, while others demanded fees exceeding $100,000 — amounts I simply could not afford after already spending tens of thousands of dollars.
Supervised Visitation & a Conflict of Interest
I was required to pay for supervised visits with my son. English is not my first language, and I believe the language barrier led to misunderstandings and inaccurate reports about our visits. I was not given access to my own visitation videos, which prevented me from correcting statements I believed were wrong.
I chose a visitation center from the court’s own approved list, trusting that it was neutral and independent. At no point was I informed of a potential conflict of interest involving that center and the opposing side. Had I known, I would never have chosen it.
I believe parents should always be clearly informed of any potential conflict of interest before choosing a supervised-visitation provider. Transparency and fairness are essential in any case involving children and families.
Living Under the Threat of Deportation
While I was fighting for my relationship with my son, I was also facing removal from the United States. I received a letter ordering my deportation, and the fear of being sent away while separated from my child was devastating.
My immigration situation never made me want to abandon my child. To the contrary — it made me fight even harder to remain present in his life and to seek every legal avenue available to protect our relationship.
“I never wanted a court battle. I simply wanted to be a mother to my child — and to have my relationship with him protected.”
This is only a short version of what happened. The full story has lasted more than a year and consists of over 3,000 pages of filings, reports, evidence, and records.
For most of my son’s life, it was just the two of us. I was there for his feedings, his bedtime, his doctor appointments, his comfort, and his daily needs. I have never stopped loving him, and I have never stopped fighting for him.
My hope is that one day my entire story will be heard and understood, and that decisions affecting my relationship with my child will be based on all of the facts — not on accusations or misunderstandings.
What We Stand For
Love
A mother’s love is powerful, protective, and deeply connected to a child’s heart.
Family
Children deserve stability, kindness, and meaningful relationships with loving family.
Justice
Every parent deserves a fair chance to be heard with dignity and respect.
How You Can Help
I cannot fight this battle alone. If my story touches your heart, I respectfully ask for your help.
Write to the President of the United States
Share my story and ask that our immigration laws be reviewed and improved — so that immigration status can no longer be used as a tool of control within families, and so that parents and children are protected from unnecessary separation.
Write to the Governor of California
Ask for accountability and improvement within the family-court system and the legal profession — a system that better protects women and children, ensures fairness, and prevents conflicts of interest and unnecessary family separation.
Share My Story
Share my story with your friends, family, community groups, and on social media. The more people who hear it, the greater the chance that meaningful change can happen.
Open justice. No more hidden evidence.
I am asking for my voice to be heard — and for the opportunity to continue being a mother to my son. Thank you for standing with me.
— Alexandra Bogdanova
Contact
If you would like to reach out, offer support, or learn more, please contact me:
Records from my case — my Public Records Act request to the Fresno Police Department (asking for the 911 audio and body-camera footage) together with the responses I received, the Notice to Appear issued in my immigration proceedings, a restraining-order filing, the USCIS decision on my green-card application, the airline ticket later used to portray me as a “flight risk,” an attorney invoice, handwritten notes, and a declaration of custodian of records. Personal identifiers — including my child’s information and other people’s private details — have been redacted for privacy.
Confirmation that my public-records request was received.
The response to my request (page 1).
The response to my request (page 2).
The Notice to Appear issued in my immigration proceedings.
A restraining-order filing from my family-court case (Form DV-110).
The USCIS Notice of Decision denying my green-card application (page 1).
The USCIS Notice of Decision denying my green-card application (page 2).
The airline ticket booked in my name using someone else’s email, phone, and payment — later used in court to call me a “flight risk” (page 1).
The airline ticket — itinerary and price details (page 2).
The airline ticket — fees and booking terms (page 3).
An attorney invoice from my family-court case (page 1).
An attorney invoice — itemized services (page 2).
An attorney invoice — payment summary (page 3).
Handwritten notes (page 1).
Handwritten notes (page 2).
A Declaration of Custodian of Records confirming there is no audio or video recording of the supervised visitations. My child’s name and date of birth have been redacted.
Tap any image to view it full size.
This is only a small selection. My full case consists of more than 3,000 pages of court filings, reports, evidence, and records. Additional documentation is available upon request.
If you are a journalist, advocate, attorney, or supporter and would like to learn more, please contact me directly.
