Trump administration issues apology after threatening to deport Ukrainian refugees in email blunder

Donald Trump’s presidential administration has acknowledged and apologised after it accidentally informed some Ukrainian refugees that they needed to leave the United States. Several Ukrainian refugees who fled their country after Russia commenced its full-scale invasion were informed in an email that their legal status in the US was revoked.

Around 240,000 Ukrainians have been settled in the US as part of the Uniting for Ukraine or U4U Program, which was launched during former US President Joe Biden’s time. According to CBS News, some resettled Ukrainians who were part of this program received emails this week telling them that the US Department of Homeland Security would be terminating their legal protections.

“DHS is now exercising its discretion to terminate your parole,” read the notice dated 3 April, referring to the temporary legal status (TPS) granted to Ukrainians after Russia invaded its neighbouring state. “Unless it expires sooner, your parole will terminate 7 days from the date of this notice."

The email further stated that if the recipients failed to leave the United States, they would “be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States” and encouraged the recipients to sign up for self-deportation. “Do not attempt to remain in the United States – the federal government will find you,” the notice warned. “Please depart the United States immediately.”

DHS calls it a mistake

Shortly after the news broke out, DHS told CBS News on Friday that the notice was sent in error to some Ukrainians under the U4U program. “The U4U parole program has not been terminated,” the DHS statement read. The missive had been corrected with a follow-up message that said: “No action will be taken concerning your parole.”

The Trump administration has already gotten rid of the Biden government’s immigration programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, and ordered them to self-deport by 24 April.

Hence, the notice caused panic among Ukrainians in the US who have long-held the fear that they might face the same cancellations, forcing them to be deported back to a war-torn nation. One Ukrainian parolee, who asked that her name not be used for fear of retribution from the US government, told Reuters that she “couldn’t breathe normally and was uncontrollably crying” upon receiving the email.

With inputs from agencies.