More than 100,000 Ukrainians face deportation from US as Trump weighs decision
Photo: A decision must be made by October 19 (Getty Images)
US lawmakers fear the Trump administration will revoke protections for Ukrainian refugees in the United States. If this happens, around 100,000 Ukrainians could face deportation as early as next month, according to Politico.
According to the outlet, the administration has until October 19 to extend or revoke temporary protected status for more than 100,000 Ukrainians living in the US because of the war in Ukraine.
Although a number of lawmakers from both parties hope that US President Donald Trump will extend the authorization, some officials support a fallback option. In other words, if no decision is made, the status would be allowed to expire without formal termination, which would automatically extend it for another six months.
If this happens, Ukrainian temporary protected status holders would be left in limbo, allowing them to remain in the US for at least another six months. A similar situation occurred with Salvadoran nationals in September.
"The significant political backlash that would come from the administration trying to deport Ukrainians is a major factor here. The significant political backlash that would come from the administration trying to deport Ukrainians is a major factor here," said an aide to a member of Congress.
The aide and another person familiar with discussions in Congress said lawmakers had discussed this option as preferable to the alternative.
Some hardliners in Congress are insisting that the administration terminate all temporary protection programs. Although they do not specifically mention Ukraine, they argue that "temporary" protection used by Ukrainians and others is often extended indefinitely and, in turn, deprives Americans of jobs.
Meanwhile, other Republicans and many Democrats support initiatives to extend the status.
What else is important to know
In January 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the suspension of the program for Ukrainian citizens traveling to America because of the war. This included the Uniting for Ukraine program.
We also reported that in July 2025, US President Donald Trump promised that Ukrainian refugees would be allowed to remain in America until the end of the war.
