Uncertainty and Renewals Plague Humanitarian Program for Ukrainians in the U.S.
Nearly 200,000 Ukrainians granted humanitarian status in the United States are facing mounting anxiety as renewal applications are processed at a drastically slow pace, and new fees add financial strain.The situation has sparked fears of deportation and prompted some Ukrainians to voluntarily leave the country,despite fleeing the ongoing war.
The program,initially created to offer refuge to those escaping the conflict,faced a potential dismantling under the Trump administration,which reportedly considered ending it entirely. While that plan was never implemented, a federal judge in May ordered officials to resume processing renewal applications after a period of stalled activity.
however, progress has been minimal. According to U.S. government data released as part of a lawsuit, only approximately 1,900 renewal applications for Ukrainians and other nationalities have been processed as May - a small fraction of the number with expiring status.
Adding to the difficulties, a spending package signed into law by former President Trump in July introduced a $1,000 fee for humanitarian applications, on top of an existing $1,325 per-person fee.
the White House has directed inquiries regarding the program to the Department of Homeland Security, which has not responded to requests for comment.
The delays and financial burdens are causing notable distress within the Ukrainian community. U.S. Representative Mike quigley, representing the Chicago area, reports his office has received assistance requests from over 200 Ukrainians facing uncertain legal status. “There’s a fear that if they haven’t completed their application, if they haven’t gone through the whole process, they’re vulnerable for deportation,” Quigley stated.
Legal organizations are also witnessing a troubling trend. Anne Smith, Executive Director and Regulatory Counsel of the Ukraine Immigration Task Force, reports a surge in calls from Ukrainians whose family members have been detained by immigration authorities. arrests are occurring in various settings,including construction sites,during food delivery and rideshare work,and in broader enforcement sweeps in cities like chicago and Cleveland.
Sponsors who have welcomed Ukrainian families are expressing frustration with the system. Brian Snyder, a product marketing manager in Raleigh, North Carolina, who has sponsored three families, believes those who have followed the rules are being unfairly treated.He recounts instances of families experiencing inconsistent parole renewals, with some members approved while others remain in limbo. “All of this dysfunction and uncertainty is just introducing a tremendous amount of stress in these families’ lives,” he said.
The situation has led some Ukrainians to choose voluntary departure, fearing potential detention or deportation. Reuters interviews with 24 Ukrainians revealed that six have already left the U.S. rather than risk facing immigration jail or being sent to other countries, a practice previously employed by the Trump administration with other immigrants facing deportation challenges.
Yevhenii Padafa, a 31-year-old software engineer who arrived in Brooklyn in September 2023, exemplifies this dilemma. After his renewal application expired in September, he attempted to utilize the CBP One app to ”self-deport,” hoping to take advantage of a Trump administration offer of a free outbound plane ticket and a $1,000 “exit bonus.” However, the app woudl only book a flight to Ukraine, despite his preference for Argentina, which offers a humanitarian program and a lower cost of living. arriving in Buenos Aires with limited funds, padafa expressed a stark choice: “If I return to Ukraine, I’ll just go to the frontline. I’d rather be homeless somewhere than go to Ukraine.”
