Trump wants to deport 200,000 Ukrainians from the US: they are ready to be paid to leave

The Trump administration's policy on immigrants calls for the swift return of refugees to their home countries. A recently developed plan states that approximately 200,000 Ukrainians will be required to leave the United States. Learn how the American government plans to influence refugees' desire to leave the country

Legal advice for Ukrainians

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The Trump administration has developed plans to spend $250 million earmarked for refugee aid to finance the return of people to their homes. In particular, this applies to Ukrainians who left for the United States because of the war. This was reported by The Washington Post.

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The Trump administration's plan to deport immigrants

Journalists from the publication reported that the US president's administration plans to spend $250 million on deporting immigrants. Interestingly, this money is earmarked for international aid.

The proposal was in the works even before the related statement by the Department of Homeland Security on 5 May that immigrants who voluntarily agree to be deported to their countries will be able to receive $1,000 from the US government.

Read also: Ukrainians reapplying for protection in the EU after the US: legal options and countries that are still accepting

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Documents cited by the media indicate that more than 200,000 Ukrainians and 500,000 Haitians could be covered by the voluntary return programme.

Critics have said that this is inhumane and contrary to long-standing US ideals – ‘forcing people seeking refuge to return to countries where they face death.’

Journalists emphasised that the Trump administration's proposal is unusual because it involves repatriating people who have fled some of the most dangerous places in the world and aims to bypass the International Organisation for Migration, which usually helps return migrants to their homes.

It should be noted that international law prohibits the return of refugees to countries where their lives or freedom are in danger.

By the way, we previously reported on what to do after the U4U status expires in the United States.

In addition to Ukrainians and Haitians, the documents also mention Afghans, Palestinians, Libyans, Sudanese, Syrians and Yemenis. It states that they may also become participants in the voluntary deportation programme.

How realistic is the deportation of Ukrainians?

US Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Trisha McLaughlin confirmed the authenticity of the documents created in late April and early May, but called them ‘outdated.’ She noted that Homeland Security Secretary Kristje Noem has not yet made a final decision on temporary protection for citizens of Ukraine or Haiti.

‘The Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department are working together to further implement the president's agenda, using foreign aid funds to help those who are in our country illegally to voluntarily deport themselves,’ McLaughlin said.

Incidentally, the US Department of Homeland Security is considering participating in a reality TV show where immigrants will compete for potential citizenship. Immigrants already in the system will compete in various contests, including, possibly, American history and science.

If you have any questions about migration, including the preparation of a package of documents, submission of an application, rules of entry and legalisation in the territory of any state, please contact Visit Ukraine legal support

Recall that in April 2025, Ukrainian migrants in the United States received letters notifying them of their deportation. Later, the Department of Homeland Security said that a mistake had been made. Find out what grounds exist for deportation from the United States and how not to violate immigration law.

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