Natalia’s son does not remember Ukraine. He believes he has spent his entire life in the United States, where his family must seek answers to legal questions and stay able to work despite the uncertainty in the law.
“He doesn’t understand why he has to leave the United States.”
– Tatiana
If government decisions do not change quickly, Natalia, Tatiana, and their families risk finding themselves among thousands of Ukrainians whose temporary status and right to work could disappear over time.
The article is told anonymously to reduce risks for people and their loved ones related to their legal status.
Most of those arriving in the United States under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program – a humanitarian mechanism introduced during the Biden administration, allowing private U.S. citizens to sponsor and support Ukrainians who remained because of the war.
Participants in this program received two years of humanitarian parole, giving them the opportunity to stay and work in the receiving country.
About 280,000 Ukrainians arrived in the United States under the U4U program before its suspension at the beginning of Trump’s presidency.
Those who arrived by August 16, 2023, inclusive, could apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), but those who arrived after that date could not obtain TPS. TPS is an expensive and lengthy process; applying earlier is not possible.
“Some Ukrainian citizens and members of their families who were displaced by the Russian invasion and mistakenly placed under parole in the United States after February 11, 2022, may be offered a new parole period (re-parole) of up to two additional years,” USCIS says.
As the permits and protections expire, many Ukrainians are not receiving answers from the government, remaining in uncertainty and losing the right to work.
Tatiana, Natalia, and her husband applied for TPS, but, according to them, they did not receive any responses. Their work permits have expired, and they are forced to leave their jobs.
“We simply have to buy food and pay for housing and a car. We can’t wait.”
– Tatiana
“Ukrainians, we simply do not understand why this happened to us, because the U.S. government invited us here. They are inviting us to come here.”
Independent activists and lawyers continue to urge lawmakers and the administration to find solutions and prevent a humanitarian crisis among Ukrainian refugees in the United States.
“When we say that Ukrainians are at risk, they may respond: ‘In fact, President Trump said they could stay.’ However, this does not mean that they can work.”
– Angela Boelens
Angela Boelens, who supported Ukrainians in DeWitt, Iowa, doubts whether lawmakers and the administration fully understand the problem.
“I brought people here, following the principles of legality and pragmatism, to help small communities and do what is right for people in Ukraine,” she said.
Prospects and challenges for Ukrainians in the United States
Without a clear plan for continuing protection and the ability to obtain a new status, many families face the risk of losing their sources of income and a full life in the United States. Experts and civil rights advocates urge the government to quickly consider options for extending Ukrainians’ stay in the country, taking into account the humanitarian situation and the interests of both sides. Such an approach could reduce the risk of losing jobs and allow people to plan for the future without constant uncertainty.
Developing and approving new policies remains the key to the stability of families that have already made the United States their home. All stakeholders hope for promptness and fairness in processes for extending protection and access to work.