Ukrainians residing in the United States under humanitarian parole have begun receiving mass emails notifying them of the termination of their status. The messages state that recipients must leave the U.S. within seven days—or face removal proceedings. These emails have caused significant concern and confusion among those who received them.
Vilni Media learned about this situation through messages being widely circulated within the Ukrainian diaspora in the U.S.
"It is time for you to leave the United States… If you do not depart voluntarily, you may be subject to removal—unless you have obtained another lawful basis to stay (such as applying for a status adjustment or asylum)," reads one email, which appears to be an official notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to the letter, the humanitarian parole granted to Ukrainians after russia’s full-scale invasion has been "terminated under U.S. law (8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)(A) and 8 C.F.R. § 212.5(e)).” The letter warns of the cancellation of all benefits associated with this status, including work authorization.
It further states that individuals who do not leave within the specified timeframe “may be subject to criminal prosecution, fines, and other legal measures.”
t’s worth noting that in January 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of certain humanitarian parole programs — including those for citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela — due to concerns about abuse and fraud. However, no official announcements have been made regarding the termination of this parole for Ukrainian nationals.
There is a possibility that these emails are phishing or fraudulent attempts to mislead recipients. As of now, there have been no official statements from the U.S. government confirming the authenticity of these emails. There is also no confirmation that these letters come from official Ukrainian representatives in the U.S. or from nonprofit organizations working with refugees.
What should you do? Check your immigration status through the official USCIS website or contact them directly to confirm any changes to your status. You may also consult with qualified immigration attorneys or accredited representatives for guidance on your status and potential actions.
Vilni Media is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as soon as an official statement is released by U.S. authorities.
Update as of April 5, 2025:
Mass emails sent to Ukrainians by DHS about the termination of humanitarian parole are false! The very next day, a representative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the program for Ukrainians is not being discontinued.
Donald Trump’s administration has issued an apology to Ukrainian refugees following the widespread circulation of fake emails claiming the end of humanitarian parole.
According report by The Guardian, officials acknowledged that these messages were not official, and the mass mailing was likely the result of an internal breach or a targeted phishing attack.
“We sincerely apologize to everyone affected by this misinformation,” the White House stated.
The government also pledged to investigate the source of the emails and strengthen the protection of refugees’ personal data.
Author: Inna Mikhno