How more Russians are finding ways around sweeping US asylum limits

A Customs and Border Protection officer standing at the entrance to the San Ysidro Port of Entry, seen from Tijuana, Mexico. More than 8,600 Russians have sought refuge in the US on the Mexican border in recent months. Photos: Gregory Bull/AP

Maksim Derzhko calls it one of the most terrifying experiences of his life. A longtime opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, he flew from Vladivostok to the Mexican border city of Tijuana with his 14-year-old daughter and was in a car with seven other Russians.

All that separated them from claiming asylum in the United States was a US officer standing in traffic as vehicles inched toward inspection booths.The emotions are "hard to put into words", he says. "It's fear. The unknown. It's really hard. We had no choice."