Trump’s Plan to Revoke Legal Status for 240,000 Ukrainians Amid…

President Trump plans to revoke temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion, potentially leading to deportation. This decision aligns with broader efforts to terminate legal statuses for over 1.8 million migrants under Biden’s humanitarian parole programs, reflecting escalating tensions in Trump’s relationship with Ukraine and its President Zelenskyy.

President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to revoke the temporary legal status of approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their country due to Russia’s invasion. According to Reuters, this decision may occur as early as April and would expose these individuals to potential deportation. The sources for this information include a senior administration official along with three additional sources, reflecting a continuation of Trump’s policies aimed at increasing deportations.

The anticipated revocation aligns with a broader initiative by the Trump administration to cancel temporary legal status for over 1.8 million migrants who gained entry into the United States through humanitarian parole programs established under President Joe Biden. Although both the White House and the Ukrainian embassy in Washington declined to comment, the implications of this action are significant for the affected populations.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is conferred by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when conditions in a home country prevent safe return. Countries are eligible for TPS designations due to ongoing conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary conditions. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas designated Ukraine for TPS shortly after the invasion began in March 2022, with extensions now set through October 2026.

Additionally, Trump has issued an executive order aimed at terminating all categorical parole programs. If enacted, this would strip temporary legal status from migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, impacting over 530,000 individuals. The order may also affect about 77,000 Afghans who fled the Taliban regime.

Revoking the legal status of tens of thousands of Ukrainians signifies a drastic shift from Biden’s policy of welcoming Ukrainian refugees through initiatives like “Uniting for Ukraine.” This program allows Ukrainians who have suffered due to the war to reside temporarily in the United States with support from American sponsors, contradicting Trump’s recent deportation efforts.

Trump’s actions coincide with a tense relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A recent meeting at the Oval Office turned contentious as Trump and Vice President JD Vance expressed dissatisfaction with Zelenskyy’s responses regarding potential peace negotiations with Russia. Furthermore, Trump has made contentious remarks about Zelenskyy, questioning his leadership and public electoral processes, although he subsequently moderated some of his statements.

In summary, President Donald Trump’s proposed revocation of temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians underscores a significant shift in immigration policy amid an ongoing feud with Ukraine’s leadership. This move is part of a larger initiative to terminate protective statuses for various migrants, challenging the approach taken by the Biden administration towards refugees. The implications for affected individuals could be severe, raising concerns about their safety and status in the U.S.

Original Source: www.forbes.com