When deportation from the US is possible: explanation for Ukrainians

In April 2025, Ukrainian migrants in the United States received letters notifying them of their deportation. Later, the Department of Homeland Security announced that there had been a mistake. Find out what are the grounds for deportation from the United States and how to avoid violating migration laws

Legal advice on migration issues

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In early April 2025, the British news agency Reuters reported that several Ukrainians in the United States who had left under a humanitarian programme in connection with the military aggression of the Russian Federation received letters demanding that they leave the country. The letter stated that their war refugee status had been cancelled and that they had 7 days to leave the US. Later, representatives of the Department of Homeland Security said that there had been a mistake and that the temporary residency programme had not been cancelled.

It is currently unknown how many migrants received such a letter, but for most of them it was very stressful. In order to quickly navigate such situations, it is worth knowing the current US migration laws. In this article, we have summarised the main grounds for deportation from the United States and the specifics of their application.

If you realise that your rights are being violated, Visit Ukraine specialists are always in touch!

First of all, it is worth remembering that there are only two grounds for deportation:

- violation of migration legislation;

- committing crimes on the territory of the country.

Crimes for which deportation from the United States is provided

1. Domestic violence, stalking, crimes against children, violation of court orders aimed at protecting other citizens.

2. Migration fraud, illegal use of visas, permits and other entry documents.

3. Violation of non-immigrant status.

4. Smuggling (including complicity by way of support, coercion, assistance or any other kind of facilitation).

5. Fictitious marriage.

6. Fraud with documents.

7. False representation by a US citizen.

8. Espionage, sabotage, and any transmission of information that is important to national security.

9. Participation in all forms of genocide.

10. Illegal participation in elections.

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Additional grounds for deportation

1. Drug addiction or abuse of other controlled substances.

2. Failure to register a change of address (unless there is evidence that the violation was unintentional).

3. Activities that potentially threaten or adversely affect U.S. foreign policy.

4. Expenditures from the state budget that cannot be justified.

Just a reminder. In February 2025, the US authorities suspended the acceptance of migration applications from Ukrainians.

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

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