Trump Admin Mistakenly Sent Emails, Order Ukrainians to Leave/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Dozens of Ukrainians legally residing in the U.S. received a mistaken deportation email this week, sparking panic and confusion. The Department of Homeland Security later confirmed the message was sent in error, assuring recipients their legal status remains unchanged. The incident follows reports of Trump administration plans to revoke protections for Ukrainian refugees.
Trump Admin Mistakenly Orders Ukrainians to Leave – Quick Looks
- Dozens of Ukrainians received a mistaken deportation notice
- DHS confirms email was an error; parole remains valid
- Recipients were told to leave within 7 days or face removal
- Email sparked widespread panic, especially among vulnerable refugees
- Some had renewed legal status and were blindsided by notice
- Trump admin previously considered revoking protections for 240,000 Ukrainians
- Nonprofits report distress among Ukrainian families in U.S.
- DHS sent correction email, but fears remain high
Trump Admin Mistakenly Sent Emails, Order Ukrainians to Leave
Deep Look
In a troubling development this week, multiple Ukrainian refugees legally living in the U.S. under a humanitarian parole program received a chilling email from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stating their immigration status had been terminated and they had seven days to leave or risk being forcibly removed.
“If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal,” the email read.
The message, received Thursday, was later confirmed by DHS on Friday to have been sent in error, with officials stating that “the terms of your parole as originally issued remain unchanged at this time.”
Panic Among Legal Ukrainian Residents
The mistaken message left many Ukrainian parolees terrified and confused, believing their legal stay in the U.S. was abruptly revoked. One Ukrainian woman, who wished to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, said she “couldn’t breathe normally and was uncontrollably crying” after receiving the notice.
She explained that she had recently renewed her legal status in August 2024 and had been assured it was valid for two more years. The DHS email left her desperately questioning what she had done wrong.
“I don’t have as much as a parking ticket,” she said. “I don’t post on social media. Nothing.”
Advocates Raise Alarm Over Error
Angela Boelens, president of IA NICE, an Iowa-based nonprofit that sponsors Ukrainian refugees, said she knew of at least two women who received the email, including one who is pregnant.
“It’s a very scary email,” Boelens said. “All of my families are in complete panic.”
She noted the email differed significantly from standard government notices. “I’d been telling people they would have time after a revocation notice. But this letter is very different.”
Context: Trump Policy Shift on Ukraine
The alarming error comes amid broader concerns about the Trump administration’s planned reversal of humanitarian protections for Ukrainians who fled after Russia’s 2022 invasion. Last month, the administration was considering revoking temporary legal status for roughly 240,000 Ukrainians — a stark departure from the open-armed approach under President Joe Biden.
While no formal change has been enacted, the mistaken DHS message has heightened fears among refugee communities and advocates alike.
Human Impact of a Digital Error
Though DHS quickly issued a follow-up correction on Friday, the emotional damage was already done. For many recipients, the idea of being suddenly deported was not just distressing — it was life-altering.
Several Ukrainians had already begun making contingency plans, while others contacted lawyers and local aid organizations in panic. The mistake has renewed calls for clearer communication from federal agencies, especially for vulnerable populations like war refugees.
What Happens Next?
As of Saturday, the Ukrainian humanitarian parole program remains active, and DHS maintains that no changes to parole status have been officially enacted. However, the incident has cast a shadow over the administration’s handling of immigration policy, particularly in the wake of other controversial enforcement actions.
Advocates are now pushing for greater transparency and safeguards, fearing similar errors could escalate under an administration already considering broader immigration rollbacks.
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