Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Nov 23: Tens of thousands of Ukrainians in the US remain in legal limbo after delays in processing renewals for a humanitarian program introduced under President Joe Biden, with the Trump administration pausing applications and later adding hefty fees.

Kateryna Golizdra, 35, has been unable to work since her status lapsed in May, losing her job, health insurance, and the ability to support her family abroad. Nearly 200,000 Ukrainians are reportedly at risk of losing their legal status due to these processing delays.

The program, launched in April 2022, initially allowed around 260,000 Ukrainians to live and work in the U.S. for two years. The Trump administration paused renewals in January, citing security concerns, and briefly considered revoking their status entirely, though a federal judge ordered processing to resume in May.

Many affected Ukrainians have struggled financially, taking on debt, moving abroad, or remaining indoors to avoid possible arrest by immigration authorities. Some, like software engineer Yevhenii Padafa, have resorted to “self-deportation” to countries such as Argentina to avoid being detained.

Advocates and U.S. lawmakers have raised concerns about the stress and uncertainty faced by Ukrainians, citing arrests during routine work and threats of deportation. The White House has referred inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security, which has not commented on the ongoing delays.

The situation highlights the fragility of humanitarian protections and the heavy toll bureaucratic delays can impose on displaced populations.