President Trump plans to revoke the temporary legal status for about 240,000 Ukrainians who fled Russia’s invasion, potentially leading to deportation. This decision is part of a larger initiative to rescind protections for over 1.8 million migrants established under Biden’s humanitarian programs. The development occurs amidst escalating tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to revoke the temporary legal status of approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their country due to Russia’s invasion. This decision follows an escalating conflict between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as Trump’s intention to increase deportations. Sources suggest that this revocation could occur as early as April and may lead to the deportation of these individuals.
The revocation aligns with a broader strategy by the Trump administration to rescind the temporary legal status of over 1.8 million migrants who gained entry to the United States under humanitarian parole programs established by President Joe Biden. As of now, responses from the White House and Ukraine’s embassy in Washington are pending.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is designated by the Department of Homeland Security for countries whose residents are unable to return safely due to various crises. This status, which allows individuals to work in the U.S. without the threat of deportation, was granted to Ukrainians by then-Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in March 2022, shortly after the invasion, and extended through October 2026.
In addition to Ukrainians, the Trump administration also plans to revoke temporary legal status for migrants from other nations such as Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, impacting over 530,000 individuals. Approximately 77,000 Afghans, who fled the Taliban, are also included in these parole programs.
Reversing temporary legal status for these Ukrainians would contradict President Biden’s previous efforts to support Ukrainian refugees through the “Uniting for Ukraine” initiative, which was introduced to help those affected by the conflict. Furthermore, Trump’s recent declarations about executing the largest deportation operation in U.S. history emphasize his commitment to this immigration strategy.
The situation is aggravated by a discord between Trump and Zelenskyy stemming from their recent Oval Office meeting, where tensions escalated over discussions about pursuing peace with Russia. Trump has criticized Zelenskyy, calling him disrespectful and labeling him a dictator despite later softening his remarks. This ongoing feud complicates the diplomatic relationship and raises concerns regarding vulnerable populations affected by wartime displacements.
The reported plans by President Trump to revoke temporary legal statuses for Ukrainians and other migrants indicate a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, entailing potential deportations and contradicting earlier supportive measures for displaced individuals. This decision, stemming from a broader strategy against humanitarian parole programs, highlights ongoing tensions with Ukrainian leadership and raises questions about the future of those fleeing conflict.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
