Maryia Vviadzenskaya Detained at San Juan Airport While Traveling with Husband Spencer Ricciardello

A 28-year-old woman, Maryia Vviadzenskaya, was detained at San Juan Airport in Puerto Rico while returning home to Hawaii after a birthday trip. Maryia, who goes by Masha, is a citizen of Belarus. She had been celebrating her birthday with her U.S. citizen husband, Spencer Ricciardello, and friends.

The trouble began when the couple was preparing to board a flight back to Hawaii. At the TSA checkpoint, Maryia presented her U.S. driver’s license. However, TSA officers flagged her for an expired visa and alerted federal authorities. She was detained on the spot, though agents did not handcuff her in public.

Maryia Vviadzenskaya Green Card Detainment Case

Maryia entered the United States legally in 2022 on a student visa. After finishing college, she got a work visa and worked as a teacher in California. She later moved to Hawaii with her husband. She is now unemployed as she waits for her new work permit. The couple has already filed a green card application based on their marriage.

Her visa expired eight months ago, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Officials say she no longer had legal immigration status. Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, travelers are still subject to immigration checks when flying to the mainland.

A CBP spokesperson said, “Once your visa expires, you are unlawfully present. There are legal steps people must follow to remain in the U.S.”

Emotional Toll and Legal Delay

Maryia was very emotional during her detention. Her husband, Spencer, said goodbye at the airport without knowing where she was being taken. Immigration officers later said she could be sent to Florida or Louisiana.

Eventually, she was transferred to Broward Transitional Center in Florida. Spencer flew to Florida and now visits her weekly. He said she had recently lost both parents in Belarus and had already been through a difficult time.

The couple faced delays in her bond hearing because her passport was not sent to the Florida center on time. It was received on May 19, almost two weeks after her first court date on May 6.

Legal Fight and Community Support

The couple is working with an attorney to resolve Maryia’s immigration status. They are trying to complete her adjustment of status process. Spencer said he is very stressed and worried, but he hopes for a positive result.

To help with the legal fees, the family created a GoFundMe page, which has so far raised over $9,000.