President Trump plans to revoke temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians who fled Russia’s invasion, potentially leading to deportation. This move is part of a broader strategy to rescind humanitarian parole programs initiated by President Biden for over 1.8 million migrants. The decision aligns with Trump’s escalating tensions with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and marks a stark deviation from previous supportive immigration policies.
Recent reports indicate that President Donald Trump plans to revoke the temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled from Russia’s military actions. This decision, anticipated as early as April, may lead to the deportation of these individuals, as verified by a senior administration official and several knowledgeable sources. This action aligns with a broader strategy to rescind temporary legal status for 1.8 million migrants benefiting from humanitarian parole programs initiated by President Joe Biden. Requests for comments from both the White House and the Ukrainian embassy in Washington remain unanswered.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a designation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for countries where residents cannot return safely due to ongoing conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. Ukraine was granted TPS in March 2022 amidst the invasion, with extensions recently approved until October 2026. Likewise, the Trump administration is set to revoke the temporary legal status of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, impacting over 530,000 individuals, including around 77,000 Afghans who fled the Taliban’s takeover.
The potential revocation of TPS for Ukrainians represents a shift away from President Biden’s initiatives aimed at supporting Ukrainian refugees, particularly the “Uniting for Ukraine” program designed to aid those facing severe hardships due to the conflict. Homeland Security highlighted this initiative’s purpose as accommodating those deeply affected by Russia’s actions. Furthermore, Trump recently underscored his ambition to conduct the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, targeting all migrants with criminal allegations.
This proposed action reflects the escalating tensions between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stemming from a contentious meeting in the Oval Office. The encounter reportedly featured Trump and Vice President JD Vance alleging disrespect from Zelenskyy as discussions regarding potential peace terms with Putin surfaced. Trump, in advocating for negotiations, previously criticized Zelenskyy but later softened his remarks regarding Zelenskyy’s leadership.
In summary, President Trump’s proposed revocation of temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians highlights his administration’s ongoing deportation strategy. This action contradicts the welcoming policies established under President Biden and raises concerns surrounding the treatment of vulnerable migrants. The escalating conflict between Trump and Zelenskyy further complicates diplomatic relations, signaling a significant shift in U.S. policy towards refugees fleeing war conflicts.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
