Washington: The Trump administration is preparing to rescind temporary legal protections for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who sought refuge in the U.S. after fleeing Russia’s invasion, a senior official and multiple sources familiar with the situation have confirmed.
The decision, expected to be implemented as early as April, would mark a sharp policy shift from the Biden administration’s more welcoming stance toward Ukrainian refugees.
The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to end humanitarian parole programs that were established under Biden, affecting more than 1.8 million migrants. This includes revoking parole for around 530,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, potentially as soon as this month.
While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not officially announced any changes, an internal email from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicates that those losing parole status could face expedited deportation. Unlike individuals who crossed the border illegally, those who entered legally under parole status can be removed at any time without a time limit.
The Biden administration had introduced these programs as a way to provide legal pathways for migration while discouraging illegal crossings. Beyond the 240,000 Ukrainians affected, these policies also protected over 70,000 Afghans who fled Taliban rule, as well as one million migrants who entered the U.S. legally through the CBP One mobile app.
The policy shift has also affected Afghan allies who worked with U.S. forces. Rafi, a former Afghan intelligence officer who assisted American troops, entered the U.S. legally in January 2024 under Biden’s parole program. However, in February, his status was revoked, and he was detained by ICE during a routine check-in. Despite his contributions to U.S. military efforts, his request for release was denied.
