Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Apr 6: The Donald Trump administration has issued an apology after mistakenly sending deportation notices to several Ukrainian refugees currently residing in the United States under a humanitarian programme launched during the Biden era.
The affected individuals, resettled under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) programme, received alarming emails stating that their temporary legal status also known as parole had been revoked, sparking widespread panic among Ukrainian communities in the US.
According to CBS News, the notice, dated April 3, read: “DHS is now exercising its discretion to terminate your parole... your parole will terminate 7 days from the date of this notice.” It further warned recipients that failure to depart would result in law enforcement action and urged them to sign up for self-deportation. “Do not attempt to remain in the United States – the federal government will find you,” the message warned.
The email caused widespread distress among Ukrainians who fled their war-torn homeland following Russia’s 2022 invasion. One recipient, speaking to Reuters under anonymity, said she “couldn’t breathe normally and was uncontrollably crying” upon receiving the message.
In a swift clarification issued on Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) admitted the notices were sent in error and confirmed that the U4U programme remains active. A follow-up message was sent to affected individuals stating: “No action will be taken concerning your parole.”
Over 240,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the US since the launch of the U4U programme under President Joe Biden’s leadership, which was designed to offer a safe haven to those fleeing conflict.
The incident comes at a time when the Trump administration has already moved to end similar parole programmes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans—prompting fears that Ukrainians could be next.
While DHS has assured that Ukrainian refugees remain protected under the current provisions, the mistaken notice has shaken trust and raised serious concerns over the future of humanitarian immigration policies under the new administration.