U.S. immigration authority erroneously instructs Ukrainian refugees to depart
Several Ukrainians legally residing in the United States under a humanitarian program received an alarming email this week, informing them that their status had been revoked. The message stated that they have seven days to leave the country or the "federal government will find you."
TroibNews 
A number of Ukrainians legally residing in the United States through a humanitarian program received an alarming email this week, informing them that their status had been revoked. They were given seven days to leave the country or face being located by federal authorities.
On Friday, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security clarified that the email had been sent in error and confirmed that the Ukrainian parole program, initiated after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, remains active. The exact number of affected Ukrainians remains uncertain.
Last month, Reuters reported that the Trump administration intended to revoke temporary legal status for roughly 240,000 Ukrainians who had fled the war. This would represent a significant shift from the support extended to Ukrainians under President Joe Biden's administration.
The email participants received on Thursday stated, "If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States." It added, "Again, DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States."
A follow-up communication from the Department of Homeland Security on Friday reassured recipients that the previous order was incorrect and that "the terms of your parole as originally issued remain unchanged at this time."
One Ukrainian parolee, who chose to remain anonymous due to concerns over possible repercussions from the U.S. government, described her emotional response to the email, saying she "couldn't breathe normally and was uncontrollably crying." She explained that she had renewed her immigration status in August, believing it to be valid for another two years. Confused and stressed, she wondered what could have led to her unexpected removal, noting, "I don't have as much as a parking ticket, don't post on social media."
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
On Friday, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security clarified that the email had been sent in error and confirmed that the Ukrainian parole program, initiated after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, remains active. The exact number of affected Ukrainians remains uncertain.
Last month, Reuters reported that the Trump administration intended to revoke temporary legal status for roughly 240,000 Ukrainians who had fled the war. This would represent a significant shift from the support extended to Ukrainians under President Joe Biden's administration.
The email participants received on Thursday stated, "If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States." It added, "Again, DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States."
A follow-up communication from the Department of Homeland Security on Friday reassured recipients that the previous order was incorrect and that "the terms of your parole as originally issued remain unchanged at this time."
One Ukrainian parolee, who chose to remain anonymous due to concerns over possible repercussions from the U.S. government, described her emotional response to the email, saying she "couldn't breathe normally and was uncontrollably crying." She explained that she had renewed her immigration status in August, believing it to be valid for another two years. Confused and stressed, she wondered what could have led to her unexpected removal, noting, "I don't have as much as a parking ticket, don't post on social media."
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
