Many Ukrainians in the Pittsburgh area, and across the country, are here on a temporary basis through a humanitarian parole program called Uniting for Ukraine.
It is a program that allows them up to two years of refugee status due to the Russian invasion in their homeland.
However, time is expiring under the conditions of that program for many of the displaced Ukrainians, and there’s mounting concern that the Trump administration has stalled the application renewal process for them to remain here.
Their fear is deportation, and revocation of work permits as the deadline approaches.
Last week, a delegation of U.S. sponsors of Ukrainians petitioned members of Congress about the stalled process. Kate Fissell, of Pittsburgh, was part of that delegation.
“The message was these people are about to lose their legal status, and nobody wants to send civilians back to the war zone of Ukraine,” Fissell said.
Some local sponsors say a few Ukrainians have already self-deported, while others are facing hardship without the ability to work.
“And so they’re not able to pay their rent, it’s hard for them to put food on the table,” said Rachele Paulone, another Ukrainian sponsor. “They’re great people and to have this happen to them is disheartening.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security addressed the matter Wednesday, saying a pause in the program will remain in place, “pending the completion of additional vetting to identity any fraud, public safety, or national security concerns.”
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Ukrainian refugees and Pittsburgh-area sponsors fear the worst outcome as applications for renewal stall – WTAE
