Before leaving office in January, the Biden administration extended TPS protections for Ukrainians until October 2026, citing ongoing armed conflict and unsafe conditions in Ukraine…reports Asian Lite News
The White House has yet to make a decision on the legal status of 240,000 Ukrainian refugees currently residing in the United States, President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday.
The uncertainty follows reports that the Trump administration is considering revoking the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) of these Ukrainians, granted after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. If revoked, this move could potentially lead to deportations.
“We’re not looking to hurt anybody, and we’re certainly not looking to hurt them,” Trump said. “I’m looking at it, and there are people who think it’s appropriate, and some who don’t. I’ll be making a decision pretty soon.”
The remarks come amid growing concerns over the administration’s broader immigration policies. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed earlier reports suggesting a decision had already been made, reiterating that discussions on the matter were still ongoing.
Before leaving office in January, the Biden administration extended TPS protections for Ukrainians until October 2026, citing ongoing armed conflict and unsafe conditions in Ukraine. However, the potential revocation of these protections aligns with Trump’s broader crackdown on legal migration channels, including restrictions on refugee programs and humanitarian pathways.
According to reports from undisclosed sources, the administration’s deliberations on revoking TPS predate Trump’s recent public fallout with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 28. The policy shift is part of a wider effort to curtail humanitarian protections, affecting over 1.8 million migrants currently residing in the US under similar programs.
The administration has already taken steps to roll back other protections for Ukrainian refugees. In late January, the White House suspended the Uniting for Ukraine program, which previously allowed Ukrainians to stay in the US for up to two years, granting them work permits and access to healthcare.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has also moved to suspend TPS protections for nearly 600,000 Venezuelans, reinforcing the administration’s tough stance on immigration. Trump, who campaigned on mass deportations, has wasted little time in implementing stringent immigration policies since his return to office.
More than six million Ukrainians fled their homes following Russia’s full-scale invasion, with approximately 5.2 million still displaced abroad. While most have sought refuge in EU nations, the US has been a critical destination for those seeking safety.
The Trump administration’s approach to Ukraine has sparked criticism, particularly in contrast to its increasingly conciliatory stance towards Russia. Recent decisions to freeze military aid and halt intelligence-sharing with Kyiv have heightened concerns over the administration’s commitment to its longstanding ally.
Despite the tensions, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated on March 6 that the US and Ukraine have resumed cooperation, with delegations set to meet for talks next week.
