Icon
Come back

1 min

27 Jan. 2025

18437

Trump administration suspends entry of immigrants: it concerns Ukrainians

For refugees
Popular
USA (United States)
Trump administration suspends entry of immigrants: it concerns Ukrainians

The Trump administration has suspended the approval of immigrant applications. This also applies to the U4U programme, which has helped many Ukrainian military migrants settle in the US. Find out all about the US President's order and how it will affect Ukrainian migration

Legal advice on migration issues
Legal advice on migration issues
GET

The New York Times reports that on 23 January, a senior US Citizenship and Immigration Services official sent a letter ordering the Department of Homeland Security to suspend a number of programmes that allowed emigrants from unstable areas to temporarily settle in the United States. ‘The Voice of Ukraine in America reports that the directive had the greatest impact on the evacuation of Afghans and the US military. However, the changes also affect the U4U programme - ‘Unity for Ukraine’ - which has allowed more than 100,000 Ukrainians to enter the United States. We have collected all the necessary details about Trump's political decision in this article.


What are the reactions to the changes in the US?


The New York Times points out that Trump's intention is to cut humanitarian programmes for the entry of immigrants. This primarily concerns refugees from unstable regions.


‘The scale of the programmes mentioned in this pause is enormous, and this decision will block the entry of immigrants fleeing some of the most unstable and desperate places in the world. In addition to Ukraine, which has been affected by years of war, these programmes have offered a pathway for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela, among others,’ the newspaper writes.


Some politicians also opposed the President's initiative.

‘This is evidence of the administration's hostility to any humanitarian immigration,’ said Yael Shaher, director of the American and European offices of Refugees International.


‘The abrupt halt to refugee admissions is devastating for families who have already endured incredible hardship and have been waiting for years to rebuild their lives in safety,’ said Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, head of Global Refuge, one of the 10 US resettlement agencies.




Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!




What comments did the Trump administration make about the directive?


Trump administration officials have said that the president believes that many of these programmes were not legal to begin with. However, the officials did not provide any specifics.


In 2022, Biden announced the launch of the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) programme, which allows Ukrainian citizens and their close relatives to come to the United States for a specified period of time with the right to work.


How will the President's decision affect the U4U programme?


Trump's decision also suspends the U4U Unite for Ukraine programme, a Biden initiative that allowed Ukrainian immigrants to temporarily enter the United States if they had financial sponsors. More than 150,000 Ukrainians entered the US under this programme. The US family reunification programme and the initiative for minors from Central America who have family members in the US have also been suspended.


More information about the U4U programme can be found here.


Please contact our migration lawyers if you have any difficulties!







Just a reminder! Earlier, we told you that the newly elected US President Donald Trump made a number of high-profile statements regarding domestic and foreign policy.


Photo: ArmyInform


Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.


Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 


Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.




© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.

Frequantly
asked questions
When did the US immigration process stop in 2025?
The New York Times reports that on 23 January, a senior official of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services sent a letter in which the Department of Homeland Security ordered the suspension of a number of programmes that allowed emigrants from unstable areas to temporarily settle in the United States.
Which categories were most affected by Donald Trump's immigration suspension?
Why did Trump suspend US immigration programmes?
Do Trump's reforms affect the U4U programme?
How does the Donald Trump administration comment on the immigration suspension?

Recommended articles

2 min

Travel US eases travel advisory to Ukraine: list of relatively safe areas

US eases travel advisory to Ukraine: list of relatively safe areas

Recently, it became known that the US Department of Foreign Affairs has changed its travel advisory for its citizens to Ukraine. Find out more about which regions of Ukraine have been identified by the State Department as relatively safe and how to protect yourself from military risks while in Ukraine

18 Nov. 2024

More details

2 min

For refugees How can Ukrainians from Europe move to the US and find a job?

How can Ukrainians from Europe move to the US and find a job?

Moving to the United States and finding employment for Ukrainians from Europe requires careful preparation and compliance with all the requirements of US immigration law. Find out more about how to move to the US for further employment and what you need to do

26 Dec. 2024

More details

2 min

Popular TPS for Ukrainians: who is eligible, how to apply, benefits of TPS status and legalization options

TPS for Ukrainians: who is eligible, how to apply, benefits of TPS status and legalization options

Ukrainians in the United States can obtain temporary protected status, also known as TPS, but only if they meet a certain number of requirements. Find out who is eligible for TPS, how to apply, and what rights a person with TPS status has

02 Jan. 2025

More details

1 min

For refugees Temporary protection for Ukrainians in the United States extended until 2026: details

Temporary protection for Ukrainians in the United States extended until 2026: details

The United States has extended temporary protection for Ukrainians for another 18 months. Learn more about the TPS extension, how to apply, and what are the current entry rules for Ukrainian citizens in 2025

13 Jan. 2025

More details