There’s been a reprieve for Ukrainians living in Iowa who fled the war in Russia but were worried their legal protection from deportation would expire today (Monday).
Yesterday (Sunday), the Department of Homeland Security announced Ukrainians with “Temporary Protected Status” may continue to live and work in the United States.
Martha Hulshof of Ireton has a sister who’s been a missionary in Ukraine for over 25 years, and she helped bring about 150 Ukrainians to Sioux County after Russia invaded Ukraine. Hulshof says it’s been a confusing time.
“They’ve done nothing wrong. They have legal status, and they’re still fearful of being picked up because what if everything expires,” Hulshof said prior to TPS being extended.
Temporary Protected Status or TPS was created in 1990 for immigrants who could not safely return to their home country due to wars or natural disasters.
The Department of Homeland Security says a decision on TPS for about 100-thousand Ukrainians living in the US will be made at the appropriate time, but did not offer more details.
The Trump Administration has revoked TPS and ordered deportations for about a million immigrants, including about 350-thousand Haitians and about 12-thousand Afghans.
Additional reporting for this story is from Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson
