LEGAL RESOURCES ON U.S. IMMIGRATION TOPICS FOR UKRAINIANS FLEEING THE WAR.

Ukraine’s TPS designation that was set to expire on October 19, 2026 has been automatically extended for another 6 months to April 19, 2027. By operation of law, if the Secretary of DHS does not make a final decision on whether to extend, redesignate, or terminate a country’s TPS designation at least 60 days before it expires, the designation is automatically extended. This extension does not create a new designation expanding TPS eligibility, so only Ukrainians who arrived in the U.S. on or before August 16, 2023 and have been continuously residing here since are eligible. As of now, no further action is needed by current TPS beneficiaries to extend their TPS protection. DHS must still review and make a final decision on whether to extend or terminate Ukraine’s TPS after it expires. It remains to be seen how USCIS will handle automatic work permit extensions for qualifying beneficiaries, which are set to expire October 19, 2026.

Many Ukrainians have applied for re-parole but have yet to receive approvals. After waiting several months and even a year or more, some risk losing their only lawful status that allows them to remain in the United States. Others already live in limbo with expired parole. For those whose sole source of employment eligibility is through humanitarian parole, they could lose their jobs and the ability to support themselves. What are their legal options, and how can those at risk ensure they remain compliant with the law? USCIS provides some alternative methods to proving employment authorization. Those who have received a final grant of re-parole but are still awaiting new EAD cards may show a valid unexpired I-94 with a “UHP” class of admission for up to 90 days. Other parolees may have employment eligibility through TPS or pending applications for asylum or adjustment of status.

A new rule that went into effect March 16, 2026 severely restricts which categories of noncitizens are eligible to hold Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) that are required to drive trucks and other commercial vehicles. States may ONLY issue or renew Non-Domiciled CDLs/CLPs to drivers who have an H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visa. Simply having an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is no longer sufficient. This means Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) humanitarian parolees and TPS grantees are no longer eligible to apply for or renew CDLs/CLPs, even if they previously held or currently hold a valid one. Ukrainians driving commercial vehicles who do not have an H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 work visa and a valid CDL are also at greater risk of being stopped, inspected, or detained by police or state transportation authorities.

Hundreds of Ukrainians have been held in immigration detention, with the numbers increasing dramatically in the past year. Learning that a family member or someone close has been detained can be frightening and stressful, especially when you don’t know where they are being held. Find out which categories are at risk, how you can locate someone at an ICE detention center or a state/local correctional facility, where to find legal counsel to assist them, how to try to get them released from detention, and additional resources for detainees and their families.

Whether you are preparing to apply for re-parole or recently received a Request for Evidence (RFE) after filing Form I-131, you will need to submit sufficient evidence to USCIS demonstrating that 1) there are continued urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit for you to be issued a new period of humanitarian parole, and 2) that you personally warrant a favorable exercise of discretion of parole. Learn how to write an effective affidavit explaining why you need to stay in the U.S. on humanitarian parole and which evidence is helpful to support it.

In June 2025, USCIS resumed processing re-parole and other applications filed by parolees. Although Ukrainians are no longer able to use the streamlined re-parole process that was previously available, they can still apply for re-parole by filing Form I-131 online or by mail and submitting all the required documentation to USCIS. Their re-parole requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis after examining their individual circumstances to determine if another grant of parole is warranted for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public interest. Learn more about re-parole, who is eligible, how to apply, how to renew employment authorization, and recommendations for filing a strong application.

Individuals seeking political asylum in the United States must file an Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal within one year of their arrival to the United States, though there are a few limited exceptions to the one-year filing deadline. In addition to the one-year filing deadline, there could be other bars to asylum such as firm resettlement in another country or criminal history. A person may apply for asylum in the United States regardless of their country of origin or their current immigration status. In order to apply for asylum protection, applicants must show….

Many Ukrainians who entered the United States through the Uniting for Ukraine program are wondering how they might be able to remain in the United States after their humanitarian parole expires. Here are some potential options that could allow certain Ukrainians on humanitarian parole to remain in the United States after their Uniting for Ukraine stay ends.

Adjustment of Status is the process by which a noncitizen who is already in the United States can apply for Lawful Permanent Resident status (a Green Card) without having to leave the country. However, strict legal requirements limit the eligibility for this process for humanitarian parolees and other categories of applicants.