A group of US Congressmen have urged Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullin to extend Ukraine’s Temporary Protected Status and re-designate Ukraine as a country covered by the program. Ukraine’s current TPS is set to expire on October 19, 2026.
This was reported by Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Philadelphia Iryna Mazur, citing an official letter from US Congressmen to the US Department of Homeland Security.
“We are writing to express our strong support for extending Ukraine’s Temporary Protected Status and re-designating Ukraine as a country covered by the program,” the letter reads.
The congressmen reportedly urged the US Department of Homeland Security to extend TPS for Ukraine so that Ukrainians who have found refuge in the United States can continue to live and work safely there until conditions in Ukraine allow for their safe return.
The letter states that more than 250,000 Ukrainians have found safety in the United States after being forced to flee a full-scale Russian invasion. The authors of the appeal emphasize that these people have become part of American communities, contribute to the economy, labor resources and the US tax system, while adhering to American law.
It is also noted that more than four years have passed since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, but Ukraine continues to be in the midst of one of the most destructive conflicts in modern Europe. Kyiv and other cities continue to be subjected to missile and drone attacks, and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and energy facilities, remains a target.
“This causes large-scale humanitarian needs and makes it impossible for the safe return of the civilian population,” the appeal emphasizes.
According to the authors of the letter, Ukraine continues to meet the legislative requirements for granting TPS. This concerns the existence of a protracted armed conflict and extraordinary temporary circumstances under which the return of the country’s citizens would pose a serious threat to their personal safety.
The congressmen emphasized that the extension of TPS is necessary to preserve the legal status and work permits of thousands of Ukrainians already protected by this program.
The letter also emphasizes the need to re-define Ukraine for participation in the program. The authors of the appeal note that since the previous decision, conditions in Ukraine have continued to deteriorate, and thousands of Ukrainians who arrived later under humanitarian programs are not eligible for TPS due to the outdated cut-off date for meeting the criteria.
“Such an arbitrary division deprives people who fled the same war and under the same humanitarian circumstances of protection simply because they arrived after the date established by the current decision,” the letter says.
According to the congressmen, without the simultaneous extension of TPS and the redefinition of Ukraine, many Ukrainians legally residing in the United States may be forced to return to the country, where their lives and safety continue to be seriously threatened.
The letter also notes that from the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus have recognized the need to protect Ukrainians who have found refuge in the United States. Now, as Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its fifth year, this need, the letter authors say, is greater than ever.
“The extension of TPS and the redefinition of Ukraine would demonstrate continued American leadership in responding to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises and would fully comply with both the letter and intent of the TPS legislation,” the letter states.
The letter was signed by 27 members of the US Congress, including Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Quigley, Marcy Kaptur, Rick Larsen, Don Bacon, Carlos Jimenez, Seth Moulton, Michael Turner, Brendan Boyle, Dina Titus, Jason Crowe and others.
“Until such peace is achieved and conditions do not allow for the safe return of displaced Ukrainians, we respectfully urge you to extend the Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine this fall and re-designate Ukraine as a country covered by this program,” the members of the US Congress concluded.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Author: Inna Mikhno