Trump suspends humanitarian program for Ukrainians in U.S

Ukrainians who fled their war-torn country with hopes of safety in the United States now face uncertainty. Under President Donald Trump, the US has paused a program called "Uniting for Ukraine," which allowed over 200,000 Ukrainians to live and work legally in the country. Many fear losing their established lives as the application process halts. Nikita Demydov, a 39-year-old Ukrainian immigrant, worries about losing the stability he found in San Diego. He started small construction businesses to support his family. "If the new government cancels it, we'll lose everything again," he said. The humanitarian program began under former President Joe Biden in 2022 to assist Ukrainians fleeing Russian attacks. Many had sought refuge at the US southern border alongside migrants from Central and South America. However, Trump's administration aims to reduce immigration and has suspended programs for various groups, including Ukrainians. Ester Miroshnychenko, an 18-year-old student, expressed her distress over the program's ending. She believes it gave Ukrainians a chance for stability. "Taking away those opportunities... for what?" she asked. Vlad Fedoryshyn, who settled in the US in 2020, supports Ukrainians under the program. He receives many calls daily from people confused and worried about their status. "When you hear from the government that we're not going to have this program anymore... what does that mean?" he questioned. Fedoryshyn believes the Trump administration does not fully understand the situation in Ukraine, where civilians are under constant threat from Russian attacks. The sudden shift in US policy is troubling for those who relied on American support. Returning to Ukraine is not an option for many. "Are you going to want to go back to Ukraine, where missiles could fall or a drone could hit your house?" Fedoryshyn said. All they want is to feel safe.