Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 8:03:45 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Chernobyl Exchange Teen Demands to Stay in US

Posted Sep 8, 08 8:25 AM CDT in World,  US 

(Newser) – A Chernobyl exchange teen who doesn’t want to leave her host California family has infuriated Belarus officials, who are demanding her return. Tanya Kazyra, 16, has spent the last nine summers with a Petaluma family as part of a humanitarian exchange health program for children suffering the effects of living in the Chernobyl region. Her host family is standing behind her. "I love her like a daughter," said her California "mom."

The girl’s refusal to leave at the end of last month has prompted the Belarus government to brand her hosts as kidnappers and threaten to shut down the program, reports the Los Angeles Times. Kazyra insists that her grandmother, with whom she lives in Belarus, has encouraged her to stay, and her alcoholic parents lost custody of her long ago. Her immigration lawyer has applied for an extension of her tourist visa, which expires in December.

Source Los Angeles Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • US Flip-Flops on Closing Belarus' DC Embassy

    May 1, 08 2:23 PM CDT
    US Flip-Flops on Closing Belarus' DC Embassy Washington backpedaled at the last minute from closing the Belarusian embassy today, the AP reports. The State Department aims to retaliate for yesterday's expulsion of most of the staff of the US embassy in Minsk—and could yet take action against Belarus diplomats, an official said. More »

Exchange participant Tanya Kazyra, right, of Belarus poses with her host family, the Zapatas, outside their home in Petaluma, Calif.   (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Exchange participant Tanya Kazyra of Belarus, right, practices her singing with Ashley Zapata, left, at her host family's home in Petaluma, Calif.   (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Exchange participant Tanya Kazyra of Belarus poses outside her host family's home in Petaluma.   (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We offer a health respite. We're not trying to rescue these children ... This family knew the rules. They made a conscious decision to break them. And it's harming the program. - Cecilia Calhoun, Belarus liaison for the Children of Chernobyl U.S. Alliance

She chose not to return to a home life in Belarus that is life-threatening and abusive ... She had the right to do so under American laws. The decision of one child to stay should not cause the Belarus government to react like this. - immigration lawyer Christopher Kerosky

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

Belarus • Chernobyl • humanitarian organizations • diplomatic ties • exchange student


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »