Kateryna Golizdra, 35, has spent six months in legal limbo in the United States, uncertain whether her humanitarian status as a Ukrainian refugee will be renewed. Her work permit expired in May, forcing her to leave her managerial job at the Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale, costing her more than $50,000 in annual income and her health insurance coverage for a liver condition.
She can no longer send money to her mother in Germany, highlighting the personal toll of the Trump administration’s delayed processing of the Ukrainian humanitarian program.
The program, introduced by former President Joe Biden in April 2022, allowed nearly 260,000 Ukrainians to enter the U.S. for an initial two-year period. Internal U.S. government data reviewed by Reuters indicates that nearly 200,000 Ukrainians faced potential loss of legal status by March 31 due to processing delays under the Trump administration.
The delays created immense stress for applicants, many of whom lost jobs and income. Some stayed indoors, while others left for Canada, Europe, or South America. Returning to Ukraine is not an option for many, as Golizdra’s home in Bucha was destroyed during Russia’s invasion.
The Trump administration paused renewals in January 2025, citing security concerns, and briefly considered revoking Ukrainians’ legal status entirely.
Although a federal judge ordered renewals to resume in May, U.S. immigration authorities have processed only 1,900 applications since. A July spending law added a $1,000 fee to renewals, compounding difficulties for affected Ukrainians.
Legal aid groups report cases of Ukrainians being detained while working ordinary jobs, and some have opted to “self-deport” to countries like Argentina to avoid detention or deportation.
The uncertainty continues to cause high levels of stress and disruption for families relying on the program to maintain stability in the U.S., leaving thousands of Ukrainians in a precarious situation as they await government action on their applications.
