President Trump plans to revoke temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia, potentially leading to deportations. This action aligns with broader efforts to rescind protections for 1.8 million migrants and comes amid tensions with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. There are also indications of similar actions affecting migrants from other countries.
President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to revoke temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who have fled their country due to Russia’s invasion. This revocation is anticipated to occur as early as April and may lead to the deportation of these individuals, as indicated by a senior official within the Trump administration and various sources close to the matter. Such a move aligns with Trump’s broader initiative to enhance deportations, following his contentious interactions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The revocation is also part of an overarching strategy by the Trump administration that aims to terminate temporary legal status for over 1.8 million migrants, who were granted entry into the United States under humanitarian parole programs initiated by President Joe Biden. The implications of this action extend beyond Ukrainian nationals, with indications that migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela might also see their legal statuses revoked, potentially affecting more than 530,000 individuals from these countries.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is granted to residents of countries deemed unsafe due to conditions such as armed conflict, environmental disasters, or epidemics. The acting Homeland Security Secretary has the authority to designate countries for TPS status. Ukraine received TPS designation in March 2022 amid the ongoing crisis, and this status was extended through October 2026 earlier this year. However, Trump’s recent actions signal a stark contrast to Biden’s approach of supporting Ukrainian refugees.
In addition to the Ukrainian situation, Trump signed an executive order on January 20 that requested the Department of Homeland Security to terminate all categorical parole programs, putting numerous migrants at risk. This could also impact around 77,000 Afghans who fled from the Taliban, thus widening the scope of potential deportations under this initiative.
This decision arises amidst ongoing tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy. Recent discussions in the Oval Office became confrontational when Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of disrespecting them while advocating for peace negotiations with Putin. Trump has also criticized Zelenskyy, labeling him a “dictator” in remarks regarding Ukraine’s political situation, although he later retracted this statement. Such dynamics contribute to the complexities surrounding immigration policies and international relations in this context.
The potential revocation of temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians under President Trump’s administration marks a significant shift in immigration policy, diverging from the welcoming stance adopted by President Biden. This move, alongside the broader initiative to eliminate protections for multiple migrant groups, underscores Trump’s strong emphasis on deportations. Amidst ongoing tensions with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and the backdrop of international diplomatic relations, these developments may have far-reaching implications for both U.S. immigration policy and humanitarian responses to crises.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
