Almost 200 thousand Ukrainians in the USA: why legal status is under threat

Legal vacuum for Ukrainians in the USA

Almost 200 thousand Ukrainians in the USA find themselves in a legal vacuum due to immigration delays associated with the Trump administration. The humanitarian program introduced in April 2022 allowed about 260 thousand Ukrainians to enter the USA; however, delays in processing applications under this program threaten the legal status of many of them. As of March 31, 2023, nearly 200 thousand people risk losing their legal status due to the suspension of application processing implemented by the Trump administration in January.

Complex situation for Ukrainian immigrants

In May 2023, a federal judge ruled to resume processing of humanitarian application extensions. However, in July, Trump signed a spending package that included a $1000 fee for humanitarian applications, which created additional difficulties for those trying to legalize their status. Democratic Congressman Mike Quigley reported receiving assistance requests from more than 200 Ukrainians who found themselves in a difficult situation.

Some of the Ukrainians surveyed in a study reported challenging circumstances they face. For example, six out of 24 surveyed left the USA to avoid immigration detention, and 50 individuals were deported to Ukraine. As one Ukrainian woman noted:

“If I have to leave the States, then I will have to rebuild everything from scratch.”

Another woman expressed that:

“I would rather be homeless somewhere than go to Ukraine.”

She emphasized that “all this dysfunction and uncertainty create immense stress in the lives of these families” and that there are “fears that if they do not complete their application, they are vulnerable to deportation.”

This situation highlights the serious issues faced by Ukrainians in the USA that require urgent resolution.

Amid growing uncertainty and a legal vacuum, Ukrainians in the USA face serious challenges that require urgent attention from the government. The lack of proper support and resources can lead to an increase in the number of people in difficult situations, such as deportation or homelessness. This situation raises concerns not only among Ukrainian immigrants but also among human rights advocates who are calling for action to improve conditions for those seeking safety in the USA.