• The Trump administration is preparing to revoke temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled Russia's invasion, possibly leading to mass deportations.
• This move marks a dramatic shift from the protections offered under President Biden's administration, who launched humanitarian parole programs for Ukrainian refugees.
• Trump cited an executive order aimed at terminating all categorical parole programs, affecting over 1.8 million migrants from various countries.

President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to revoke temporary legal status for around 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their war-torn country. This decision may lead them on a fast track to deportation, according to reports from Reuters and echoed by Newsweek. The planned revocation could take effect as soon as April and signifies a notable departure from the humanitarian welcome that Ukrainians received under the Biden administration's programs.

This shift aligns with a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back protections for up to 1.8 million migrants who entered the United States under temporary humanitarian parole programs initiated during Biden's tenure. A senior Trump official and other sources indicated that this policy adjustment was in motion even before Trump's controversial exchanges with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The implications of this change are significant, as individuals stripped of their legal status could face expedited removal. Internal emails from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly highlight that refugees who were admitted to the U.S. under certain programs would now be subject to rapid deportation processes without specific time limits. Additional groups at risk include approximately 530,000 individuals from regions such as Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, whose protections are also under scrutiny following Trump’s January executive order.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has labeled the reporting as "fake news," stating that while the administration is evaluating the situation, no final decision has been made. Nevertheless, Trump's administration is poised to implement a legislative crackdown on immigration avenues established under Biden, raising concerns among those who fled dire situations in their home countries.

Individuals like Liana Avetisian, who fled Kyiv in May 2023 along with her family, find themselves in a precarious situation, with their legal future now uncertain. "We don’t know what to do,” Avetisian expressed, reflecting the anxiety shared by many who benefit from humanitarian programs. Reports of former Afghan allies facing similar setbacks raise alarm about the treatment of those who aided U.S. efforts abroad, highlighting a contrasting approach to those seeking refuge within American borders.

A growing wave of legal challenges is expected against this initiative, as advocates for immigrant rights prepare to contest the administration's actions. The potential impacts on the future legal status of these Ukrainians, as well as other vulnerable immigrant groups, have ignited a national conversation about the ongoing evolution of U.S. immigration policy.

As of now, it remains uncertain what the final outcomes will be for the Ukrainians currently residing in the U.S. under protective measures.

For more information, visit South China Morning Post and Salon.