Trump Immigration Policy Ending Protection For 1.8 Million Immigrants
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
By Andy J. Semotiu
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about investor immigration and Immigration issues in general.Follow AuthorMar 07, 2025, 08:19am ESTSave ArticleUS President Donald Trump holds an executive [+][-] order. A recent new order cancelled Ukrainian humanitarian parole. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images
The latest shift in President Trump's immigration policy has triggered a humanitarian crisis as more than 1.8 million migrants—including Ukrainians, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans—face imminent deportation.
The revocation of humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) threatens immigrants' legal standing and contradicts U.S. commitments. This is particularly true for Trump's threatened cancellation of humanitarian status for Ukrainians in the United States, given the Russian invasion of their country and America's commitment to protect Ukraine made in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum.
As legal challenges mount, the fate of all these migrants hangs in the balance.
The Budapest Memorandum and the U.S. Commitment to Ukraine
In 1994, Ukraine agreed to relinquish its nuclear arsenal—the third-largest in the world—under the Budapest Memorandum, receiving assurances from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 shattered this agreement, displacing over 12 million Ukrainians, with six million seeking refuge in Western Europe.
The Biden administration responded by granting humanitarian parole to approximately 240,000 Ukrainians. If Ukraine were to fall, projections estimate that up to 20 million more Ukrainians could flee to the West. Threatening to deport Ukrainians now contradicts the Budapest Memorandum and undermines U.S. credibility in future international agreements.
Trump's New Immigration Approach: Mass Deportations
The legal basis for Trump's proposed revocations of TPS and humanitarian parole is being contested. Several lawsuits argue that Trump's immigration policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act by acting in an arbitrary and capricious manner.
Legal precedents suggest that sudden revocations of immigration protections can be successfully challenged in court. What is more, under international law and the Refugee Convention, the U.S. is obligated not to deport individuals to unsafe countries—a principle known as non-refoulement. Given ongoing conflicts and political instability in Ukraine, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, forcing migrants to return to their homelands engulfed in war or violence fails to observe these international legal norms and could place them in immediate danger.
Economic Impact: From Contributors to Detainees
Many of the 1.8 million migrants mentioned have already integrated into American society, filling critical roles in industries like healthcare, construction, and agriculture. They pay taxes and contribute to local economies. Revoking their legal status would not only strip them of employment but also remove valuable contributors from the U.S. workforce. The potential alternative—detention in internment facilities—would transform productive individuals into economic liabilities, increasing burdens on taxpayers and straining public resources. Studies show that mass deportations can lead to billions in economic losses, highlighting the self-destructive nature of these policies.
Protests And Legal Challenges To U.S. Immigration Policy Under Trump
The repeal of humanitarian protections has sparked protests and legal battles. Congressional leaders from both parties have expressed concerns over the economic and diplomatic fallout from these changes.
Attorney Victor Rud, representative of the [+][-] Ukrainian American Bar AssociationVictor Rud
Victor Rud, an attorney and representative of the Ukrainian American Bar Association, has been vocal about the dangers of these policies.
"Trump's decisions regarding Ukraine and immigration are part of a broader pattern that effectively signals a surrender to Russian demands. His administration has appointed openly pro-Russian officials to intelligence agencies, erased U.S. capabilities to track Russian influence and sanctions evasion, ordered a 'stand down' of U.S. Cyber Command contingency planning regarding Russia, and halted both military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including funds needed to repair the power grid in the dead of winter," Rud said. "He has demanded that Russia be reinstated into the G7, aligned with Russia in opposing UN resolutions condemning Russian aggression, threatened to disconnect Ukraine from Starlink, accused Ukraine of invading itself, and slandered Zelensky as a dictator."
Rud adds: "Trump's actions do not just jeopardize Ukraine—they systematically weaken U.S. influence, destabilize international alliances, and put millions of lives at risk. To deport Ukrainians under these circumstances would not just be immoral; it would be an outright betrayal of American commitments to its allies and an abandonment of our principles."
(I am a member of the Ukrainian American Bar Association, and I also write for and advise the Toronto Centre for Eastern European Democracy—two nonprofit NGOs that support Ukraine.)
The Path Forward And Trump's Approach To Humanitarian Migration
As the future of over 1.8 million migrants remains uncertain, those affected should seek legal representation, explore asylum or other immigration relief options, and stay informed about ongoing legal battles that could impact their status. Meanwhile, the public can take action by contacting lawmakers, supporting legal defense funds, and raising awareness about the devastating consequences of these policy changes. Whether through the courts or public pressure, the fight to protect humanitarian protections is far from over.
While refugee claimants at border crossings and those attempting irregular entry will face return to the United States pursuant to the safe third country agreement, it is not clear that America is still a safe country for asylum seekers and, therefore, whether return under these pretenses is merited.
Impact Of U.S. Decisions On Neighboring Countries
Part of the challenge posed by Trump's policies is the impact they will pose on neighboring countries, especially Canada and Mexico since they are closest. Departing undocumented immigrants may seek entry to these countries seeking asylum or humanitarian considerations. Canada is particularly vulnerable in this case since a large wave of undocumented immigrants headed northward could destabilize the country and present unmanageable demands on the country's infrastructure and social welfare systems. Its crippled refugee system, already burdened by large backlogs of cases, could find the added demands overwhelming. Irregular entries and asylum claims at Canadian ports of entry may result in migrants being turned away by Canadian officials on the basis of the Safe Third Country agreement with the USA. However, it may no longer be clear that America is a safe country for asylum seekers and, therefore, that a return to the U.S. under that pretext is still supportable in law.
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Conclusion: The Fight For Justice And Commitment To Humanity
The U.S. now faces a critical decision—uphold its commitments to humanitarian protection or abandon vulnerable populations. Will the courts block these deportations? Will Congress intervene? This policy shift is not just a political issue—it is a humanitarian and economic crisis that will define America's moral standing on the global stage. The choice is clear for Trump's immigration policy: protect migrants or risk economic, legal, and diplomatic consequences. The question is—what will America decide?
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Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
With the exception of Ukranians, so what?
"Many of the 1.8 million migrants mentioned have already integrated into American society, filling critical roles in industries like healthcare, construction, and agriculture. They pay taxes and contribute to local economies"
Some....maybe, but more than likely the majority are living off the taxpayer, into committing crimes.
Also doubtful, with the exception of sales taxes, they are paying any taxes.
Citations for your claim???
Nope!
Common knowledge and common sense.
So crap that was pulled out of bugsy's ass? That's what I thought, thank you for confirming.
I didn't pull anything out of my ass, but thanks for agreeing my assessment was common knowledge and common sense
Prove it! Provide citations for your claim.
Fantastic news.
theree was some study done showing some fantastically high number of “asylum seekers” who’ve been in country for longer than four years have taken vacations to the country they are seeking asylum from.
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