Trump Signals Ukrainians Can Stay in U.S., Ending Deportation Uncertainty

Former President Donald Trump indicated he would likely allow Ukrainians who fled the war with Russia to remain in the United States. This decision comes after months of uncertainty regarding their potential deportation. He made the statement in response to questions from reporters at the White House.

Trump acknowledged the presence of many Ukrainians who had arrived in the U.S. and stated that his administration was working with them. This addresses concerns surrounding the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted to approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who entered the country under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program, which began in April 2022.

The situation became more complex when Trump took office in January. An executive order titled "Securing our Borders" initially paused the U4U program, preventing additional Ukrainians from entering the U.S. under those protections. Despite TPS remaining in place for those already in the country, concerns persisted, particularly after reports in March suggested the president was considering removing this protection.

While the White House initially dismissed reports of potential changes, Trump later stated that he was considering the matter and would make a decision soon. Further confusion arose when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mistakenly sent an email to some Ukrainians under the TPS program, informing them that their status had been revoked. Although the error was later corrected, it highlighted the ongoing uncertainty.

Trump's recent assurances come amid his growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin's continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians, despite U.S. efforts to establish a ceasefire. He also announced that Putin has a limited timeframe to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine or face secondary sanctions on Russian oil. The future of the U4U program and its potential reopening to other Ukrainian citizens remains unclear.