Russian skaters remain in LV for now

By Emily Richmond

Monday, June 27, 2005 | 9:33 a.m.

A family of Russian figure skaters remains in Las Vegas today, 24 hours after their forced deportation was scheduled to occur.

"We have been given a little more time," said Anna Petrachenkova, who faced deportation along with her husband, Vladimir Khatin, and their 11-year-old son, Timofey. "We still have hope in our hearts."

Petrachenkova said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials told the family Friday that their request for a stay of deportation is under consideration. The family expects to hear an answer at a July 8 meeting at the agency's Las Vegas office.

The family has been fighting for political asylum from the United States since the fall of 2000, when they were in New York performing as part of "Moscow Stars on Ice." Asylum was denied and a deportation order was originally set for March. A 90-day stay was granted after intervention by Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev.

While Timofey's passport was sent by the Russian Embassy in San Francisco more than a month ago, Petrachenkova's and Khatin's have not yet arrived. Passports issued by the receiving country are a requirement for a deportation to be carried out, said Virginia Kice, spokeswoman for the U.S. immigration agency.

Petrachenkova said she and her family have not given up on their lives in Las Vegas and are focusing on preparing for the National Showcase 2005, which will take place in August in Valencia, Calif., and is a competitive event for theatrical figure skaters. The couple's son and one of their students will compete at the nationals. An honors student at Odyssey Charter School, Timofey hopes to one day compete for the United States in the Olympics.