Former President Donald Trump is poised to revoke temporary legal status for about 240,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russian invasion, potentially leading to deportations. This decision is part of a larger strategy to dismantle temporary protections for millions of migrants established under Biden’s administration. The move accompanies ongoing disputes between Trump and Ukrainian leaders.
Recent reports indicate that former President Donald Trump is preparing to rescind the temporary legal status of approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their country due to Russia’s invasion. This decision is expected to be enacted by April and could potentially lead to deportations. The initiative appears to align with Trump’s broader agenda aimed at increasing deportations, as mentioned by sources within his administration.
The revocation of this status would form part of a larger strategy intended to eliminate temporary legal protections for over 1.8 million migrants who entered the U.S. under humanitarian parole programs established by President Joe Biden. The Department of Homeland Security offers Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to residents of countries unable to safely return home due to conflict or disasters.
Temporary Protected Status was designated for Ukraine in March 2022, with extensions granted through October 2026. Additionally, Trump’s administration aims to terminate TPS for migrants from other nations, including Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, affecting over 530,000 individuals, along with 77,000 Afghans who fled Taliban rule.
This proposed revocation would signify a significant departure from Biden’s approach, which included supportive initiatives like the “Uniting for Ukraine” program designed to assist and welcome Ukrainian refugees. Trump’s administration previously announced its intent to conduct extensive deportations, marking a historic shift in U.S. immigration policy.
Furthermore, this initiative ties into an ongoing conflict between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following a tense meeting in the Oval Office. During this encounter, Trump and Vice President JD Vance expressed their dissatisfaction with Zelenskyy’s conduct, particularly his resistance to pressures for peace negotiations with Putin. Although Trump has previously labeled Zelenskyy’s governance as dictatorial, he later adjusted his statements regarding the Ukrainian leadership.
The potential revocation of temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians indicates a serious shift in U.S. immigration policy under Donald Trump’s administration. This approach not only targets Ukrainians but extends to numerous migrants from various countries, challenging previous humanitarian measures. The ongoing tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy further contextualize this controversial move within a broader geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
