The U.S. authorities have temporarily halted several programs that allowed migrants to reside in the country, including the initiative for Ukrainians called Uniting for Ukraine.
This program previously enabled over 150,000 Ukrainians to enter the U.S. with financial sponsors. Programs for migrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Cuba, as well as family reunification initiatives and those for Central American minors with relatives in the U.S., have also been suspended.
The decision is linked to a review of the programs for compliance with the immigration policies of Donald Trump. Under an executive order signed on his inauguration day, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is required to terminate programs that contradict his policy direction. During the review process, applications under these programs are temporarily not being considered.
The Trump administration asserts that many of these programs initially violated the law. On his first day in office, Trump signed an order mandating a review of all temporary entry programs that conflict with his new immigration policy. A USCIS spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of the directive.
Trump, known for his hardline anti-immigration stance, continues to pursue stricter immigration controls. Immediately after his inauguration, he shut down the CBP One app, which allowed asylum seekers to cross the border, and banned illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
