# Empire State Building climbers face deportation fears after attorney claims plea deal fell apart

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/empire-state-building-climbers-face-deportation-fears-after-attorney-claims-plea-deal-fell-apart/
- Published: 2026-11-13T13:00:45+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T13:24:53+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/us/empire-state-building-climbers-face-deportation-fears-attorney-claims-plea-deal-fell-apart
- Topics: Trending, Weird & Viral, World

## Key points

- Russian climbers returned to court over their Empire State Building stunt.
- Their lawyer says a plea offer protecting them from immigration consequences was withdrawn.
- The Manhattan DA’s Office says no offer was withdrawn.

## Summary

Russian climbers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov appeared in court over their July climb to the top of the Empire State Building, a stunt that drew global attention after they unfurled a peace message and Kuznetsov proposed. Their lawyer says a proposed plea deal that could have limited immigration consequences has fallen apart, raising the possibility of jail time and deportation.

The couple face felony charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief and third-degree burglary, alongside a misdemeanor unlawful-climbing charge. Their lawyer said prosecutors had offered misdemeanor pleas that would protect them from severe immigration consequences, but that the offer was withdrawn; the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office disputes this, saying no offer was withdrawn and the charges remain unchanged. The lawyer says Kuznetsov could be sent to fight in Ukraine if deported, while Nikolau could face jail in Russia.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.