Trump’s Plan to Revoke Legal Status for 240,000 Ukrainians Facing Deportation

President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to revoke temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the Russian invasion, potentially leading to their deportation. This aligns with a broader effort to cancel similar protections for over 1.8 million migrants under humanitarian programs initiated by President Biden. Additionally, tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy have escalated.

According to a report by Reuters, President Donald Trump is planning to revoke temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the country due to its ongoing war with Russia. This potential revocation is linked to an ongoing feud between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and is part of Trump’s broader strategy to increase deportations. The action could take place as early as April.

The anticipated revocation would align with the Trump administration’s goal of cancelling temporary legal status for over 1.8 million migrants, who were permitted entry to the United States under humanitarian parole programs established by President Joe Biden. Information regarding this decision was suggested by a senior Trump administration official and three knowledgeable sources, but there has been no immediate comment from either the White House or Ukraine’s embassy in Washington.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is designated by the Department of Homeland Security for countries where residents cannot return safely, due to situations such as armed conflict or environmental disasters. Ukraine was granted TPS in March 2022, right after the Russian invasion, with its designation extended through October 2026.

In addition to the Ukrainians, Trump has previously issued an executive order to terminate various categorical parole programs. This action likely impacts migrants from countries such as Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, which collectively totals over 530,000 individuals. Furthermore, around 77,000 Afghans who escaped the Taliban are also included under these parole arrangements.

Revoking temporary legal status for Ukrainians would notably contrast with Biden’s initiatives aimed at welcoming Ukrainian refugees and his “Uniting for Ukraine” program, which allows Ukrainian nationals affected by the conflict to reside temporarily in the U.S. under sponsorship while they face “immense tragedy and loss” due to the invasion.

The situation is compounded by a confrontation between Trump and Zelenskyy during a recent Oval Office meeting, wherein Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of disrespect. This meeting further highlights Trump’s contentious stance towards negotiations for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, where he previously expressed critical views of Zelenskyy’s leadership.

The potential revocation of temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians under Trump’s administration underscores a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, which may pave the way for mass deportations. This decision contrasts sharply with the Biden administration’s supportive stance towards Ukrainian refugees. The underlying political tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy regarding peace negotiations further complicates the situation.

Original Source: www.forbes.com