Local Ukrainian Refugees fear being sent back after a national news story signals the Trump administration is considering deporting them.
A news story released Thursday (3-6-25) by the international news service Reuters claimed the Trump administration is weighing whether to revoke temporary legal status for Ukrainian refugees. The refugees have been commonplace in Northwest Iowa seeing close to 130 people living, working, worshiping, and going to school in Sioux County since July of 2022.
Martha Hulshof has been working with many of these families and says her sister based in the Ukraine has sent many of the refugees here.
Hulshof, who just returned late Wednesday night (3-5-25) from a visit to Ukraine herself, was met by the news that the Trump administration was considering revoking the temporary status. She says the majority of the refugees in Sioux County had to run for their lives to safety in the U.S.
Martha says that it would be very bleak for any refugees sent back to the Ukraine.
She says that she is trying to arrange a meeting with Iowa’s national politicians to help the refugees.
Martha Hulshof says people from all walks of life should show up to these [potential] meetings and show support for the refugees.
Pastor Jon Lee, from Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, has Ukrainian refugees that attend and are members of his church. Lee says it has been a blessing to be able to worship with them.
Pastor Lee says that the Ukrainian refugees have really contributed to the community and his church.
Lee says many refugees have shared that they are very scared of being sent back to an active war zone. He would question a decision to send the refugees back given the state of the country.
The pastor goes on to say it is important for Christians to question political issues even if they contrast with their political party.
Russia invaded Ukraine back in February of 2022. Ukraine has again taken a spotlight in the national and world news as President Trump and Vice President Vance sparred with the Ukrainian Prime Minister at the White House in front of the national and international media. Estimates range well beyond one million people have lost their lives on both the Ukraine and Russian sides since the war began.
Source information: Trump weighs revoking legal status of Ukrainians as US steps up deportations | Reuters
Written by Piet Westerbeek
