Ukrainians living legally in the U.S. were mistakenly informed that their temporary parole status had been revoked in a mix-up by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), sparking widespread panic. An email sent to Ukrainian refugees on Friday told them they must self-deport, though this was an error, according to a Trump administration official.
The exact number of recipients of the erroneous notification is unclear, but it sent shockwaves through the Ukrainian community, many of whom have been on edge following statements by former President Donald Trump. Last month, Trump hinted that he may end the temporary legal residency status for 240,000 Ukrainians who fled Russia’s invasion, though no such action has been taken yet.
Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokesperson, confirmed that the U.S. has not terminated the temporary parole status for Ukrainians under President Joe Biden’s administration. The U.S. had granted temporary residency to the refugees, but the possibility of its reversal—an action hinted at by the White House—could potentially result in the rapid deportation of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians.
The email mix-up came amid ongoing uncertainty. Many Ukrainians had been preparing for the potential loss of their legal status after Trump’s administration moved to end parole programs for other nationalities, including about 530,000 Venezuelans, Cubans, and Haitians.
The DHS spokesperson did not clarify whether a final decision had been made regarding Ukrainian parole status or when the erroneous email notifications were intended to be sent. On his first day in office, Trump called for the termination of all categorical parole programs and paused new admissions under the Uniting for Ukraine program. The move also blocked renewals for those already in the U.S., adding to the uncertainty surrounding the future of Ukrainian refugees in America.
