US suspends migrant programs, Ukrainians included – NYT
US officials have suspended immigration programs, including those for Ukrainians, as part of Donald Trump's efforts to enhance border security. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Earlier this week, Donald Trump signed executive orders aimed at addressing illegal immigration.
According to the New York Times, US officials have paused various immigration programs, including those that allowed Ukrainians to temporarily settle in the United States. A directive issued by a senior official at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Thursday has put a hold on “final decisions” regarding these applications while they undergo a review.
This directive reportedly affects humanitarian parole programs that were established during the Biden administration, enabling approved migrants to remain in the US for up to two years, obtain work permits, and avoid deportation. Among the programs impacted is Uniting for Ukraine, which has facilitated the entry of over 150,000 Ukrainians into the US through financial sponsorship as of September 2023, per government data.
Additionally, other suspended initiatives include humanitarian parole programs for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, which have together welcomed more than 500,000 migrants since late 2022.
The directive also influences family reunification initiatives and a program for Central American minors with relatives in the US. While a USCIS spokesperson confirmed to the New York Times the existence of the directive, no further information on its specifics was provided.
The suspension follows an executive order signed by Trump on Monday, directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to “terminate all categorical parole programs that are contrary to the policies of the US” and to review current cases for legal compliance. Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman added further directives on the same day, mandating the end of broad humanitarian parole applications and shifting to individual case assessments.
“This action will return the humanitarian parole program to its original purpose of looking at migrants on a case-by-case basis… Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” a DHS spokesperson remarked.
Trump has vowed to take immediate measures regarding illegal immigration. Following his inauguration on Monday, he signed a series of executive orders focused on enhancing border security, which included declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border and discontinuing automatic birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are not lawful permanent US residents.
In other actions on Monday, Trump ordered a comprehensive review of all US foreign assistance, including aid designated for Ukraine. As a result, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has frozen nearly all grants to Ukraine for 90 days, spanning from development assistance to military support, according to media reports. Throughout his reelection campaign, Trump has criticized US foreign aid to various countries, including Ukraine, promising to alleviate its burden on American taxpayers if he returns to office.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
According to the New York Times, US officials have paused various immigration programs, including those that allowed Ukrainians to temporarily settle in the United States. A directive issued by a senior official at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Thursday has put a hold on “final decisions” regarding these applications while they undergo a review.
This directive reportedly affects humanitarian parole programs that were established during the Biden administration, enabling approved migrants to remain in the US for up to two years, obtain work permits, and avoid deportation. Among the programs impacted is Uniting for Ukraine, which has facilitated the entry of over 150,000 Ukrainians into the US through financial sponsorship as of September 2023, per government data.
Additionally, other suspended initiatives include humanitarian parole programs for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, which have together welcomed more than 500,000 migrants since late 2022.
The directive also influences family reunification initiatives and a program for Central American minors with relatives in the US. While a USCIS spokesperson confirmed to the New York Times the existence of the directive, no further information on its specifics was provided.
The suspension follows an executive order signed by Trump on Monday, directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to “terminate all categorical parole programs that are contrary to the policies of the US” and to review current cases for legal compliance. Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman added further directives on the same day, mandating the end of broad humanitarian parole applications and shifting to individual case assessments.
“This action will return the humanitarian parole program to its original purpose of looking at migrants on a case-by-case basis… Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” a DHS spokesperson remarked.
Trump has vowed to take immediate measures regarding illegal immigration. Following his inauguration on Monday, he signed a series of executive orders focused on enhancing border security, which included declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border and discontinuing automatic birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are not lawful permanent US residents.
In other actions on Monday, Trump ordered a comprehensive review of all US foreign assistance, including aid designated for Ukraine. As a result, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has frozen nearly all grants to Ukraine for 90 days, spanning from development assistance to military support, according to media reports. Throughout his reelection campaign, Trump has criticized US foreign aid to various countries, including Ukraine, promising to alleviate its burden on American taxpayers if he returns to office.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
