Washington, D.C. – Nearly 200,000 Ukrainians in the United States are at risk of losing legal status, work permits, and benefits due to severe processing delays under the Trump administration and a new $1,000 application fee tacked onto existing charges, according to newly released government data. Internal figures reviewed by Reuters show that as of March 31, processing of humanitarian parole renewals had slowed so dramatically that only 1,900 cases have been completed since May — a fraction of the tens of thousands expiring.
The humanitarian program, launched in 2022 to support Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion, admitted about 260,000 people for an initial two-year stay. But processing paused in January, and Trump said in March he was considering revoking Ukrainians’ legal status entirely before a federal judge ordered renewals to resume. In July, a spending package added a $1,000 surcharge, pushing total fees to more than $2,300 per person.
The delays have left thousands vulnerable to arrest, job loss, and deportation. Ukrainians interviewed described deteriorating finances, fear of detention, and the mental strain of “living on a hamster wheel.” Some have left the U.S. voluntarily — or attempted to — using the CBP One app, which the administration promoted with promises of a free plane ticket and a $1,000 “exit bonus” that was often not fulfilled.
Advocates warn the situation is unraveling into a humanitarian crisis. Rep. Mike Quigley said more than 200 Ukrainians have sought help from his office, while legal groups report frequent calls about detentions during workplace raids and enforcement sweeps in cities like Chicago and Cleveland.
Some Ukrainians who fled Russian atrocities — including survivors from Bucha — now fear they may be forced to return. One applicant told Reuters: “If I return to Ukraine, I’ll just go to the frontline. I’d rather be homeless somewhere than go back.”
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