About 120,000 Ukrainians who arrived in the US under the Uniting for Ukraine programme will gradually lose their temporary status for legal stay starting on 15 August, which could lead to their arrests and deportations if the Trump administration does not extend the period of humanitarian protection, writes The Wall Street Journal

“They received a two-year renewable status, known as a humanitarian passport, provided they find a private American sponsor willing to accept them. The Biden administration introduced the programme as a quick way to allow Ukrainians to resettle, as the traditional US refugee system can take years to process.

However, this approach had a downside – all programme participants received temporary status, putting them at risk of being deported if the programme ended. In addition, if the government wanted to arrest them, it already had their home addresses.

After taking office, Donald Trump shut down the programme and stopped extending the humanitarian status of the refugees whose work permits had expired. About a quarter of a million Ukrainians came to the US under the Uniting for Ukraine programme. Those who arrived before 16 August 2023 are still under the protection of another programme, which grants them temporary protected status. But about 120,000 Ukrainians who arrived on or after that date will be illegal in the country when their humanitarian password expires”, - reads the article.