The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to revoke temporary legal status for around 240,000 Ukrainians who fled to the U.S. after Russia's invasion in 2022. This decision is part of a larger effort to strip legal status from 1.8 million migrants. A final decision could come as early as April 2025. The plan began before Trump's public dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It aligns with Trump's executive order to end categorical parole programs.
The Trump administration plans to revoke legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians, impacting 1.8 million migrants overall.
If this plan goes ahead, it could lead to many Ukrainians facing deportation. These refugees left their homes because of the war, and many have nowhere to return to in Ukraine. This move marks a sharp change from the Biden administration's welcoming approach. Humanitarian concerns are rising as many worry about the impact on these vulnerable individuals. Reports indicate that the potential revocation affects over 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the war with Russia.
The administration's plan also targets migrants who came under Biden's humanitarian parole programs. This includes 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. Affected groups could see revocation of their legal status by March 2025. Additionally, around 70,000 Afghans who escaped the Taliban could also be impacted. The changes could disrupt the lives of over one million migrants who were scheduled for legal entries via the CBP One app.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been instructed to end all categorical parole programs. This could lead to faster deportation proceedings for those who have been granted parole. The administration is also likely to face legal challenges from immigrant advocacy groups. Furthermore, legal status revocation could leave Ukrainian refugees vulnerable and without support.
Internationally, European leaders are preparing for a potential surge in Ukrainian asylum seekers. The Ukrainian government has yet to respond officially to the news. There are growing concerns about the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine. The situation could also strain diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Ukraine, raising questions about U.S. foreign policy priorities.
