Following recent policy changes, thousands of Ukrainians who arrived in the U.S. under the Uniting for Ukraine program now face an uncertain future. The initiative, which was launched in 2022 to provide humanitarian parole and work authorization for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, has been paused by the current administration.
Under the program, individuals were granted two-year work permits and temporary protection from deportation. As of December 2024, more than 240,000 Ukrainians had entered the U.S. through this pathway. However, with the halt on renewals and new admissions, many are now at risk of losing their legal status.
One such case is that of Danyil, a 20-year-old who fled Ukraine at the age of 17. After working in the Czech Republic for nearly a year, he arrived in the U.S. in January 2023. His parole status expired earlier this year, and despite applying for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), he has yet to receive a response from immigration authorities.
“I don’t want to stay here illegally, but I don’t want to go back to Ukraine. I’m afraid—I am young, I want to live,” he said.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security extended Ukraine’s TPS designation until October 2026, with over 63,000 Ukrainians currently protected under the program. Still, advocates warn that TPS itself may not be safe from repeal. The administration has already begun phasing out protections for nationals from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti, and has indicated that all TPS designations are under review.
Without renewed protections or congressional action, many Ukrainians could become undocumented and vulnerable to detention or deportation, despite having fled a still-active war zone. Advocacy groups and lawmakers are urging for a legislative solution. A bill introduced in Congress would provide a temporary guest status for Ukrainian parolees, regardless of arrival date.
At BenEzra & Katz, we are closely monitoring these developments and encourage all Ukrainian nationals with expiring status to seek legal guidance. We remain committed to helping individuals understand their options and pursue any available form of legal protection.
Read the full article here:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/04/ukrainians-fear-deportation-under-trump