The Trump administration is preparing to revoke temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the war with Russia, potentially putting them at risk of deportation. According to a senior Trump official and three sources familiar with the matter, the decision is expected as early as April.
This move marks a sharp reversal from the policies under President Joe Biden, who had provided these protections as part of his administration’s humanitarian efforts.
Wider Crackdown on Biden’s Parole Programs
The rollback is part of a broader initiative to strip legal status from over 1.8 million migrants who entered the U.S. through temporary humanitarian parole programs during Biden’s tenure, sources revealed.
Trump’s executive order on January 20 directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to “terminate all categorical parole programs.” This decision also impacts around 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, who could lose their legal status as soon as this month.
While DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that no official announcements had been made, sources confirmed that deportation proceedings for these groups are already in motion.
Fast-Track Deportations Likely
Migrants who lose their parole status could face expedited removal, as indicated in an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) email seen by Reuters. While illegal border crossers face a two-year limit for expedited removal, those who entered legally under parole have no such restriction, making them vulnerable to immediate deportation.
Biden’s parole programs were originally introduced to create legal pathways for migrants and prevent illegal border crossings. Alongside Ukrainians, the programs also benefited over 70,000 Afghans escaping the Taliban takeover and around 1 million migrants who scheduled legal border entries via the CBP One app.
Ukrainian Families in Limbo
Liana Avetisian, who fled Kyiv with her husband and 14-year-old daughter in May 2023, now fears deportation. The family settled in DeWitt, Iowa, but their parole and work permits expire in May.
“We don’t know what to do,” Avetisian said, worried about their uncertain future despite spending $4,000 on filing fees for parole renewal and Temporary Protected Status applications.
Afghan Allies Also Affected
The policy shift is also impacting Afghan allies who assisted U.S. forces. Rafi, a former Afghan intelligence officer trained by Americans, legally entered the U.S. in January 2024 via the CBP One app. He was granted temporary parole to live and work for two years.
However, during a routine ICE check-in on February 13, his status was revoked, and he was detained. An October 2022 letter from a former CIA officer had warned that Rafi was in “extreme danger” due to his intelligence work against the Taliban.
“I wasn’t expecting this behavior from them,” Rafi said from detention. “When someone stands shoulder to shoulder with American troops and puts his life in danger…”
His lawyer petitioned ICE for his release, citing his clean record and active asylum case. However, ICE Assistant Field Director James Mullan rejected the request, stating that the priorities protecting such migrants had “ended on January 20, 2025″—the day of Trump’s inauguration.
Trump’s Immigration Stance
Trump, who had vowed to end Biden’s parole programs, has already paused the processing of applications for those who entered under them. His administration argues that these programs overstep legal boundaries.
As the administration accelerates deportations, thousands of Ukrainians, Afghans, and other migrants now face an uncertain future in the U.S.
