U.S. immigration agency sends erroneous email ordering Ukrainian refugees to leave

Multiple Ukrainians legally in the United States under a humanitarian program received an email this week, telling them their status had been revoked and they had seven days to leave the country or the "federal government will find you."

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said on Friday the email had been sent in error and that the Ukrainian parole program, launched following the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, had not been terminated. It was not clear how many Ukrainians received the email.

Reuters reported last month that the Trump administration was planning to revoke temporary legal status for some 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the conflict. Such a move would be a reversal of the welcome Ukrainians received under former president Joe Biden's administration.

"If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States," the Thursday email read. "Again, DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States."

The Department of Homeland Security sent a follow-up note on Friday, informing them that the order was in error and that "the terms of your parole as originally issued remain unchanged at this time."

One Ukrainian parolee, who asked that her name not be used for fear of retribution from the U.S. government, said she "couldn't breathe normally and was uncontrollably crying" upon receiving the email.

The woman said she had renewed her immigration status last August and had been told that it was valid for another two years, and she racked her brain trying to figure out what she had done wrong to be booted from the U.S. She could think of no reason, saying, "I don't have as much as a parking ticket, don't post on social media."

(With input from Reuters)