President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to revoke temporary legal status for around 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the Russian invasion. This action, expected by April, is part of a broader immigration enforcement initiative by the Trump administration. It would contradict previous efforts by President Biden to accommodate Ukrainian refugees, coinciding with ongoing tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
Recent reports indicate that President Donald Trump is planning to revoke the temporary legal status of approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the war caused by Russia’s invasion. This action is anticipated as early as April, allegedly aiming to facilitate deportations, amidst a growing conflict with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump’s intensified focus on immigration enforcement.
The proposed changes would also align with broader efforts by the Trump administration to eliminate temporary legal protections for over 1.8 million migrants who were granted entry under humanitarian parole established during President Joe Biden’s administration. Reports from Reuters cite officials familiar with the situation, though neither the White House nor the Ukrainian embassy in the U.S. has commented on the matter.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allows individuals from designated countries to reside and work in the U.S. when their home nations confront dangerous circumstances. The Department of Homeland Security first designated Ukraine for TPS in March 2022 due to the ongoing conflict and subsequently extended it through October 2026 earlier this year.
Executive orders issued by Trump on January 20 sought to terminate various categorical parole programs, and internal documents suggest he intends to revoke TPS for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This potential revocation would impact more than 530,000 individuals and also cover around 77,000 Afghans who fled Taliban rule.
Eliminating the TPS designation for thousands of Ukrainians would contradict Biden’s initiatives to welcome Ukrainian refugees in response to the humanitarian crisis stemming from the invasion. The Biden administration’s “Uniting for Ukraine” program was designed to provide refuge for those adversely affected by the conflict, encouraging American sponsorship for these individuals.
Additionally, this development coincides with ongoing tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy, compounded by a recent contentious meeting where Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of disrespecting them. A rift has formed as Trump has sought discussions for peace between Ukraine and Russia, leading to criticisms of Zelenskyy’s leadership and electoral practices, though he later retracted some of these statements.
In summary, President Trump’s planned revocation of temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians signifies a shift towards stricter immigration policies, countering the previous administration’s welcoming stance for Ukrainian refugees. This move could also impact over 1.8 million migrants from various nations. Coupled with escalating tensions in U.S.-Ukraine relations, the proposed changes raise significant humanitarian concerns amidst ongoing discussions about the future of displaced individuals due to global crises.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
