Trump Plans Revocation of Temporary Status for 240,000 Ukrainians Amid Tensions with Zelenskyy

President Trump is planning to revoke temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians displaced by Russia’s invasion, amidst rising tensions with Ukraine. This move is part of a broader deportation initiative affecting numerous other migrant groups, marking a significant policy shift from President Biden’s administration which endorsed protections for Ukrainian refugees.

President Donald Trump is reportedly planning the revocation of temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who fled their country due to the ongoing war with Russia. This intention follows a recent escalation of tensions between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alongside Trump’s broader initiative to increase deportations in the United States.

According to a report by Reuters, the expected revocation could occur as soon as April and may lead to the deportation of these individuals. The development is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to revoke temporary legal status for over 1.8 million migrants, many of whom entered the United States via humanitarian parole programs established by President Joe Biden.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is designated by the Department of Homeland Security for residents of countries that are unsafe to return to due to various emergencies. Following the Russian invasion, former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas established TPS for Ukrainians in March 2022, subsequently extending the status through October 2026.

Trump’s executive order from January 20 requests that the Department of Homeland Security terminate all categorical parole programs, potentially affecting migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This action could impact over 530,000 individuals, including 77,000 Afghans who fled Taliban rule.

Revoking TPS for Ukrainian refugees would represent a significant shift from President Biden’s commitment to assist those affected by the conflict. The administration’s “Uniting for Ukraine” program allows Ukrainian refugees to seek temporary residence in the U.S. while seeking support from American sponsors. Additionally, Trump has characterized the current deportation operations as “the largest in U.S. history,” indicating a strong focus on deporting migrants under various circumstances.

This announcement also coincides with ongoing tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy. Their recent meeting in the Oval Office was contentious, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticizing Zelenskyy for perceived disrespect during discussions. Trump had previously suggested peace talks with Russia should be expedited, while also contradicting his stance on Zelenskyy, labeling him a “dictator” who opposes democratic elections, a claim he later appeared to retract.

In summary, President Trump is reportedly planning to revoke temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians as part of a larger strategy to increase deportations. This action would reflect a stark shift from the Biden administration’s policies aimed at protecting Ukrainian refugees and could impact several other migrant groups. The ongoing tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy further complicate this situation, highlighting the contentious dynamics at play.

Original Source: www.forbes.com