By October 19, the Trump administration must decide whether to extend temporary protected status (TPS) for over 100,000 Ukrainians in the US. Amid reports of Ukrainians being detained by immigration service ICE, some American lawmakers are calling for the protection to be extended, while others are discussing a backup option. This is reported by Politico.
What May Happen to the Status of Ukrainians in the US
This is about not extending TPS, but also not officially canceling it. According to the procedure described by Politico, if the administration does not make a decision by the end of the current term, the status may automatically be extended for another six months.
This option does not provide Ukrainians with a clear answer regarding their future in the US. In a similar scenario for Salvadoran citizens, it remained unclear whether people could work and study during this period. Meanwhile, automatic extension would postpone deportation.
Why Lawmakers Disagree on Extending TPS
Some Republicans and Democrats advocate for extending the protection. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen stated that she urges the administration to keep TPS for Ukrainians, although given current policies, she considers such an outcome unlikely.
Other Republicans insist on rolling back temporary protection programs, arguing it is competition for jobs. Meanwhile, a group of senators from both parties warned in a September letter: canceling the status could deprive the transportation, medical, and construction industries of experienced workers and increase costs for consumers.
Previously, the US administration extended TPS for Ukrainian refugees. Now, a decision must be made amidst discussions about Trump's immigration policy and the full-scale war in Ukraine.
«For over 100,000 Ukrainians in the US, the coming days may be decisive. The best option would be a full extension of TPS, but even an automatic postponement of deportation could give people extra time. Meanwhile, uncertainty about the right to work and study will remain a serious problem,» noted overseas employment expert Vitaliy Serhiyovych Belynets.
Separately, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services informed Politico that it is reviewing applications for repeat humanitarian permits for Ukrainians on an individual basis. This is a separate procedure, and it does not automatically determine the future of TPS. Previously, the US also suspended the acceptance of some migration applications from Ukrainians.