Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Apr 5: In a significant administrative blunder, the U.S. government this week mistakenly issued deportation warnings to numerous Ukrainian refugees, informing them their temporary legal status would be revoked within seven days and instructing them to leave the country.

The unexpected notifications, sent to Ukrainians who entered the U.S. under the Uniting for Ukraine initiative following Russia’s invasion, led to confusion and anxiety across immigrant communities.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the error on Friday. Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin clarified, “A message was sent in error to some Ukrainians who entered the United States under the Uniting for Ukraine program.”

The incorrect email, dated April 3, stated, “DHS is now exercising its discretion to terminate your parole,” referring to the temporary protected status granted by the Biden administration to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians. The message warned that recipients’ parole would expire within seven days unless previously terminated.

Realizing the mistake, DHS retracted the message and issued a correction on Friday. According to CBS News, the follow-up message read: “You may have received an email notification titled ‘Notice of Termination of Parole.’ The DHS sent this email to you in error. No action will be taken with respect to your parole.”

The incident unfolded amid broader discussions about the future of Ukrainian refugees in the U.S. In a recent media interaction, former President Donald Trump, when asked about the status of roughly 240,000 Ukrainians currently residing in the country, stated no final decision had been made. “We’re not looking to hurt anybody, and we’re certainly not looking to hurt them,” Trump said. “They’ve gone through a lot.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also emphasized that no policy shift had occurred, saying discussions are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration had earlier extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukrainians through October 2026, citing the ongoing war and unsafe conditions in their homeland. A reversal of TPS protections would align with the Trump administration’s broader restrictive stance on immigration and legal entry programs.

The mistaken deportation notices have reignited concerns over administrative reliability and the precariousness of refugee protections during a politically sensitive transition.