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By Staff Writer with Agencies
A Major Immigration Shift Amid Diplomatic Tensions
The Biden-era humanitarian parole programs, which provided temporary legal status to over 1.8 million migrants, including 240,000 Ukrainians fleeing war, are set to be revoked under the Trump administration. The move, expected as soon as April, signals a stark policy shift and could lead to mass deportations, according to senior officials and sources familiar with the matter.
Policy Reversal Amid Rising Tensions
The rollback of protections for Ukrainians was reportedly in progress before President Trump’s public dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week. However, it forms part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to dismantle parole programs established under Biden, impacting hundreds of thousands of migrants from various nations.
A January 20 executive order from Trump instructed the Trump administration to terminate all categorical parole programs. The administration also plans to revoke parole for approximately 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. Migrants who lose parole status could face expedited deportation, according to an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) email seen by Reuters.
Who will stop this Russian asset? My blood is boiling🤬🤬🤬
Trump to revoke legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians as US steps up deportationshttps://t.co/FsChV7D8IG pic.twitter.com/wBieKc38fG
— James Tate (@JamesTate121) March 6, 2025
Uncertain Future for Ukrainian Refugees
Many Ukrainians who fled the Russian invasion now find themselves in legal limbo. Liana Avetisian, who arrived in the U.S. in 2023 with her husband and daughter, now faces possible deportation as their parole status expires in May. Avetisian, who works in real estate, expressed deep uncertainty about her family’s future.
“We don’t know what to do,” she said, highlighting the growing anxiety among Ukrainian refugees.
Afghan Allies Also Affected
Afghan refugees who worked alongside U.S. troops are also caught in the Trump administration’s crackdown. Rafi, a former Afghan intelligence officer who assisted American forces, was granted temporary humanitarian parole in January 2024. However, at a recent ICE check-in, his status was revoked, and he was detained despite having an active asylum case.
“When someone stands shoulder to shoulder with American troops and puts his life in danger… I wasn’t expecting this behavior from them,” Rafi said from detention.
Broader Immigration Implications
The termination of parole programs is a significant departure from Biden’s approach, which sought to provide legal pathways for migrants while discouraging illegal border crossings. In addition to Ukrainians and Afghans, migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean—many of whom used the CBP One app to enter legally—now face an uncertain future.
With deportation proceedings looming, immigrant advocacy groups and legal experts are raising concerns about the humanitarian impact of these policies. The Biden administration’s temporary protections are quickly unraveling, reshaping the landscape of U.S. immigration policy under Trump’s leadership.