Key Takeaways:

• The Trump administration mistakenly alerted some Ukrainian refugees that their legal status was revoked.
• The Department of Homeland Security clarified the deportation notices were sent in error, reassuring that the Ukrainian parole program remains active.
• The incident has sparked fear among nearly 240,000 Ukrainians currently residing in the U.S. under the humanitarian program.

The Trump administration recently caused alarm among Ukrainian refugees in the United States when it inadvertently sent an email indicating that their legal status had been revoked and they had just seven days to leave the country. According to CBS News and other sources, the communication warned recipients that failure to comply would result in potential law enforcement actions against them, instilling panic particularly among vulnerable individuals and families.

Emails received by some Ukrainian nationals under the humanitarian parole program—originally established by the Biden administration after Russia's invasion—contained instructions such as, "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," as reported by Reuters.

Following widespread concern, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement asserting that the deportation notice was sent in error, clarifying that the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) parole program is still in force. "A message was sent in error to some Ukrainians under the U4U program," the DHS added, ensuring "the terms of your parole as originally issued remain unchanged at this time," as noted by Newsweek.

This development follows reports from last month indicating that the Trump administration had intentions to rescind temporary legal status for up to 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the conflict. Advocates, including Angela Boelens—president of a nonprofit aiding Ukrainian refugees—expressed concern for families who received the alarming emails. The panic caused by this situation cannot be overstated, as many families—some expecting children—felt an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty regarding their safety and legal standing in the U.S.

Although the Trump administration has not officially terminated the U4U program, the confusion surrounding the erroneous notice has raised ongoing concerns about the future of Ukrainian refugees in America.