The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, is set to revoke temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who sought refuge from the war with Russia, according to senior officials and multiple sources. This decision marks a drastic shift from the Biden administration’s policies and could fast-track deportation for thousands.
The move, expected as early as April, is part of a broader effort to roll back humanitarian parole programs introduced by the previous administration. These programs provided legal pathways for over 1.8 million migrants, including Ukrainians, Afghans, and individuals from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Major Reversal from Biden-Era Immigration Policies
The Trump administration has taken a hardline approach to immigration, aiming to dismantle policies that allowed migrants to enter the U.S. under temporary legal protections. A key executive order issued on January 20 instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to terminate all categorical parole programs.
In addition to Ukrainians, the government is planning to revoke parole for approximately 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This shift could leave thousands vulnerable to expedited removal, a process that allows for swift deportation without a court hearing.
An internal email from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reviewed by Reuters, indicates that individuals who entered legally under parole programs could face immediate deportation, as there are no time restrictions for their removal.
Uncertain Future for Ukrainian Refugees
The Biden administration had established programs to provide temporary protection for migrants fleeing war and persecution. These included 70,000 Afghans who fled the Taliban’s takeover and over a million migrants who scheduled border crossings through the CBP One mobile app.
For Ukrainian families who have built lives in the U.S., the sudden policy shift brings immense uncertainty. Liana Avetisian, a Ukrainian refugee living in Iowa, fled Kyiv in 2023 with her husband and daughter. They purchased a home and found employment, but with their parole and work permits set to expire in May, they now face the risk of deportation.
“We don’t know what to do,” Avetisian shared, expressing her distress over the situation. Her family spent thousands in application fees in an attempt to secure a more permanent status, only to find themselves in legal limbo.
Afghan Allies Also Caught in Crackdown
The policy change is not limited to Ukrainians. Afghan allies who supported the U.S. military are also at risk. Rafi, a former Afghan intelligence officer, legally entered the U.S. in January 2024 under the CBP One app. His parole status allowed him to live and work in the U.S., but on February 13, he was detained at an ICE office in Virginia and stripped of his legal status.
A former CIA officer who trained Rafi described him as one of the most dedicated individuals he had worked with, emphasizing the danger he now faces if deported. Rafi himself expressed feelings of betrayal, stating, “I wasn’t expecting this behavior from them. I wasn’t expecting it.”
His lawyer petitioned ICE for his release, highlighting his clean record and pending asylum case. However, an official response made it clear that immigration priorities had shifted since Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
What’s Next for Affected Migrants?
With the Trump administration pushing forward with these immigration rollbacks, thousands of migrants now face an uncertain future. Many, like Avetisian and Rafi, fled dangerous conditions in their home countries, only to find themselves at risk of deportation in the U.S.
As this policy unfolds, legal experts anticipate challenges in the courts, while advocacy groups are calling for congressional intervention to protect affected migrants. The coming months will determine whether these individuals will find a pathway to stay—or be forced to leave.
