Politico: US could end protected status for about 100,000 Ukrainians, deadline October 19
In short
The US administration has until October 19 to extend or cancel Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for about 100,000 Ukrainians in the United States, Russian outlets reported, citing Politico. If it does neither by that date, the Ukrainians would automatically get another six months of protection from deportation, RBC and Kommersant reported. US Citizenship and Immigration Services gave no additional information when asked about the Politico article, TASS reported.
Read the full story 1 min read
The administration of US President Donald Trump has until October 19 to extend or cancel Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for about 100,000 Ukrainians living in the United States, Russian outlets reported, citing Politico. RBC and Kommersant put the number at more than 100,000. If the administration neither extends nor cancels the status by that date, the Ukrainians would automatically receive another six months of protection from deportation, according to the reports. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
US Citizenship and Immigration Services provided no additional information in response to a request to comment on the Politico article, TASS reported under the headline that the US does not deny it could strip the refugees of the right to stay. [ 2 ]
According to Politico, as cited by Kommersant, lawmakers from both sides hope Trump will extend the status, while some also support a fallback option: letting it expire without formal cancellation, which would automatically extend it for six months. Kommersant reported that the White House did exactly this in September, when similar protection for citizens of El Salvador expired. Lawmakers representing national communities were dissatisfied because the ability to work and study in the US was not settled, although the automatic extension still rules out deportation, the newspaper said. [ 4 ]
The administration also extended temporary protected status for six months for Lebanese migrants who fled the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah fighters, Kommersant reported. Migrants from Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, Cameroon and Myanmar did not receive support. On the Ukrainians, Politico wrote that "Trump continues to make statements indicating hostility toward Kyiv," according to Kommersant. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The decision determines whether about 100,000 Ukrainians can remain in the United States. Kommersant, citing Politico, reported that the administration extended protection for some groups but not others, leaving the outcome for Ukrainians open.
Key facts
- The US administration has until October 19 to extend or cancel temporary protected status for Ukrainians in the United States, according to Politico. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- About 100,000 Ukrainians are affected; RBC and Kommersant put the figure at more than 100,000. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- If the administration neither extends nor cancels the status by October 19, it would automatically be extended for six months, protecting holders from deportation. [ 3 , 4 ]
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services provided no additional information when asked to comment on the Politico article. [ 2 ]
- The White House let similar protection for citizens of El Salvador expire in September without formal cancellation, Kommersant reported, citing Politico. [ 4 ]
- The administration extended temporary protected status for six months for Lebanese migrants, while migrants from Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, Cameroon and Myanmar did not receive support, Kommersant reported. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The administration has until October 19 to decide on extending or cancelling temporary protected status for about 100,000 Ukrainians, according to Politico. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Without a decision by October 19, the status would be automatically extended for six months. [ 3 , 4 ]
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services gave no additional information in response to a request for comment. [ 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the Trump administration will extend, cancel or let the status lapse. The documents describe options and a deadline but no decision.
- The exact number of Ukrainians affected. TASS reports about 100,000, while RBC and Kommersant report more than 100,000.
- Whether an automatic extension would also cover the right to work and study. Kommersant reports this was not settled in the El Salvador case; the documents do not say how it would apply to Ukrainians.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- October 8: TASS reports, citing Politico, that the US could strip 100,000 Ukrainian refugees of the right to stay, with a decision due by October 19. [ 1 ]
- October 8: TASS reports that US Citizenship and Immigration Services provided no additional information in response to a request for comment. [ 2 ]
- October 9: RBC reports that more than 100,000 Ukrainians could get six more months of protection if no decision is made by October 19. [ 3 ]
- October 9: Kommersant publishes Politico's details on lawmakers' positions and precedents for other nationalities. [ 4 ]