President Trump intends to revoke the temporary legal status of 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the war, following an increase in deportations. This move aligns with broader efforts to cancel other humanitarian parole programs. Tensions rise between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as these developments unfold.
Recent reports indicate that President Donald Trump plans to revoke temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the war with Russia. This intention follows escalating tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reflects an increased focus on deportations by the Trump administration. The revocation could take effect as early as April, potentially leading to the deportation of these individuals, as reported by Reuters through senior administration officials.
This action is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to rescind temporary legal status for over 1.8 million migrants benefiting from humanitarian parole programs instituted by President Joe Biden. As of now, neither the White House nor the Ukrainian embassy in Washington has issued any immediate comments regarding this development.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is designated by the Department of Homeland Security for nationals unable to return to their home countries safely due to conditions such as armed conflict. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, then-Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas designated the country for TPS in March 2022, later extending its provision to October 2026.
Moreover, Trump has expressed intentions to revoke the legal status of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, impacting over 530,000 individuals. This initiative follows an executive order from Trump requesting the termination of all categorical parole programs. Additionally, around 77,000 Afghans who fled the Taliban regime could also be affected by these changes.
The potential revocation of TPS for Ukrainians starkly contrasts with Biden’s commitment to welcoming refugees and the “Uniting for Ukraine” initiative. This initiative aimed to support Ukrainians facing devastating losses from Russia’s invasion, allowing them to temporarily reside in the U.S. while encouraging American sponsorship.
Amidst these policy changes, tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy have intensified. Their recent meeting in the Oval Office reportedly became contentious, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance confronting Zelenskyy over his stance on negotiations with Putin. Additionally, Trump has made controversial remarks about Zelenskyy, previously labeling him as a “dictator.” Despite this, Trump has appeared to soften his tone on the issue following the meeting.
In summary, President Donald Trump’s plan to revoke temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainian refugees highlights a significant policy shift that could lead to widespread deportations. This move is consistent with Trump’s broader efforts to dismantle various humanitarian parole programs affecting millions from multiple countries. The escalating tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscore the complexities surrounding U.S.-Ukraine relations amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian needs.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
