New York, NY – Some Ukrainians residing legally in the US under a humanitarian parole program initiated during the Biden administration recently received notices from the Department of Homeland Security instructing them to leave the country. The messages, which led to panic among the recipients, turned out to be a mistake, causing confusion and fear.
The Department wrote to certain Ukrainians informing them that their parole was being terminated, urging them to depart the United States within seven days. The notice also warned against attempting to remain in the country, threatening government intervention if they did not comply. However, a subsequent communication clarified that the initial message had been sent in error, assuring the individuals that their parole status would remain unchanged.
Despite the reassurance from DHS, the mix-up left many Ukrainians and their American sponsors feeling anxious and uncertain about their future in the US. The incident raised concerns about the fate of these Ukrainians who arrived legally in 2022, particularly amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Kyiv.
Given the traumatic experience caused by the abrupt notices, the community supporting Ukrainian families expressed relief upon learning that the alerts were mistakes. However, lingering questions remain about the origins of the harshly-worded messages and the implications for the future of the parole program for Ukrainians.
Under the “Uniting for Ukraine” program announced by then-President Joe Biden in 2022, Ukrainians seeking refuge in the US were required to have US sponsors to be considered for humanitarian parole on a case-by-case basis. However, the Trump administration has criticized the program’s extension to multiple nationalities, raising concerns about the administration’s approach to immigration policies.
As the situation unfolds, the Ukrainians and their supporters continue to seek clarity on the status of the parole program and the implications for their legal right to stay in the US. The incident highlights the challenges faced by immigrants under changing immigration policies and the need for communication that is clear and compassionate to avoid unnecessary fear and confusion.