In early March, 2025 Reuters reported that the administration of Donald Trump was planning to deprive about 240,000 Ukrainian refugees of their legal status by terminating humanitarian programs. According to the Reuters sources, the decision was expected in April. In response, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt dismissed the report on X, calling it “more fake news” and stating, “No decision has been made at this time.” Meanwhile, the Trump administration has already begun revoking parole status for over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, who had been living in the U.S. under temporary humanitarian programs. The administration said cases would be reviewed on “a case-by-case basis.”

One such program, Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), allowed American citizens to sponsor Ukrainian refugees displaced by Russia’s 2022 invasion. Approximately 240,000 Ukrainians are currently residing in the U.S. under this initiative. An additional 20,000 Ukrainians who entered the U.S. through Mexico early in the war were also granted parole, which provides temporary work authorization and protection from deportation.

On April 3, many Ukrainians legally residing in the U.S. under humanitarian parole received alarming emails from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stating their parole had been revoked and that they must self-deport. The messages declared, “It is time for you to leave the United States,” and warned that their parole would expire in seven days. The letter further threatened: “Do not attempt to remain in the United States — the federal government will find you.”

The notifications sparked panic and fear, especially as the war in Ukraine continues. Russian forces still occupy parts of the country and regularly bombard civilian areas. Since the war began on February 24, 2022, all civilian air travel to and from Ukraine has been suspended.

It is not known exactly how many people received such letters, but among them were also Russian political refugees under humanitarian parole, permanent residents, and even some US citizens. One of them was Nicole Micheroni, a 40-year-old U.S. citizen and an immigration attorney from Massachusetts. Nicole told MSNBC that the Department of Homeland Security sent her the notice telling her that “it is time for you to leave the United States…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.” Another U.S. citizen,  Carmen Bello, an immigration attorney from the Boston area, told NBC Boston that she, too, received a notice of parole termination obligating her to leave the country.

The next day, DHS issued a follow-up email to recipients acknowledging the error and stating that “no action will be taken” and “the terms of your parole as originally issued remain unchanged at this time.”

Despite the retraction, fear and confusion linger among people who fled their country where a devastating war still continues taking human lives every single day. Milena, a mother of three from eastern Ukraine, now lives in New Jersey under humanitarian parole. Her hometown has been seized by Russian forces, and she has no home to return to. Her husband remains in Ukraine, fighting with the national army. Milena has been working in a local store in NJ for nearly three years, paid taxes, and supported her three kids. Her eldest son, Eugene, a high school senior, was recently accepted to college that he is eager to start in August.

Milena is one of those who received the DHS deportation email ordering her and her children to leave the U.S. within 7 days. “What should we do?” she asked tearfully. “Our neighbors in Ukraine, an old couple who were unable to escape from the town, wrote to me that Russians have moved into our apartment. We have nowhere to go back to. My children still suffer from nightmares and still need therapy. The youngest still wets the bed from the trauma caused by horrors we experienced when we fled the town under fire. We thought we were safe here and the suffering is behind for my kids. What awaits us now?”

During his campaign, President Trump claimed he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, bragging about a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Yet after three months in office, the war continues unabated, with Russian shelling intensifying and no de-escalation in sight. Trump’s approach appears more focused on meeting Kremlin demands than seeking a fair resolution, potentially forcing Ukraine to surrender territory and resources.

Refugees like Milena, who were granted legal entry, work low-wage jobs that Americans do not hurry to take. They support the U.S. economy by paying taxes, renting houses, and contributing as consumers.  Now, they are being used as pawns in Trump’s political games.

While the Trump administration seeks to reduce refugee numbers, other countries recognize their value. A report by Poland’s National Development Bank (BGK) found that Ukrainian immigrants—Poland’s largest immigrant group at 1.5 million—contributed more in taxes than they received in benefits. Ukrainians now comprise about 5% of Poland’s workforce and accounted for €3.6 billion in tax and social contributions in 2024, boosting GDP growth by up to 2.4%.

In contrast, the Trump administration appears to overlook the contributions of refugees to the U.S. economy. Today, more and more Americans, and even some of Trump’s supporters, face the reality and begin to question the consequences of his policies. Many fear that the promise to “make America great again” is instead ruining the constitution and the entire foundations of law, democracy, and economic stability with the speed of a pen stroke.

Engagement Resources

• Citizen who was ordered to leave the U.S. in 7 days says she’s heard nothing from federal officials, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/citizen-ordered-leave-us-dhs-rcna201451
• Ukrainian refugees mistakenly told they must leave US in email mix-up, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/04/ukrainian-refugees-us-email-00273926
• Trump administration accidentally tells Ukrainian refugees they must leave U.S. immediately, citing an “error”, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-administration-accidentally-tells-ukrainian-refugees-they-must-leave-u-s-immediately-citing-an-error/
•  Ukrainian immigrants have “positive impact on Poland’s GDP and budget”, finds report, https://notesfrompoland.com/2025/03/15/ukrainian-immigrants-have-positive-impact-on-polands-gdp-and-budget-finds-report/