Ukrainians in the USA face immigration scare due to DHS error
Many Ukrainians in the USA received incorrect emails about the revocation of their immigration status. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the message was sent by mistake.
What do you need to know?
- Many Ukrainians in the USA received an email about their immigration status being revoked. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that this message was sent by mistake.
- The humanitarian programme for Ukrainians has not ended. The email stated that they need to leave the USA within seven days, which caused panic among the recipients.
- It is unclear how many people received this message. The DHS spokesperson assured that the programme implemented after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is still in effect.
"If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States," read the content of the email received by Ukrainians residing in the USA as part of the humanitarian programme, "Again, DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States."
Ukrainians in the USA were shocked. They were given a week
According to the message, Ukrainians were given a week to leave the USA. It is unknown how many people received the email. Nevertheless, many Ukrainians who received it experienced immense stress.
Reuters quotes a Ukrainian woman who "couldn't breathe normally and was uncontrollably crying" after receiving this message. The woman renewed her immigration status in August of last year and was assured it was valid for another two years.
They were mistakenly ordered to leave the USA
A DHS spokesperson explained on Friday that the email was sent by mistake and the humanitarian programme for Ukrainians has not ended. It was implemented after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and is still in effect.
Angela Boelens, president of the non-profit organisation IA NICE in Iowa, which sponsored dozens of Ukrainians, emphasised that the message caused panic among the families they care for.
"It's a very scary email. All of my families are in complete panic," she noted, "I'd been telling people they would have time after a revocation notice. But this letter is very different."
Recently, Reuters reported that the Trump administration plans to revoke the temporary legal status of about 240,000 Ukrainians who fled to the USA from Russia's armed aggression. However, there is currently no information about the termination of the programme.
