Camilla Jessen
US set to deport 80 Ukrainians in largest removal in years.
US immigration authorities are moving ahead with plans to deport dozens of Ukrainian nationals who have received final removal orders, according to reporting by The Washington Post.
It will be one of the largest deportations involving Ukrainians since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
Officials in Kyiv have confirmed they were notified of the plans and are now coordinating with Washington on the logistics of returning individuals to a country still at war.
Largest group in years
Ukrainian diplomats in Washington say they are aware of roughly 80 citizens who have exhausted their legal avenues after violating US law.
One individual is reportedly scheduled for deportation on Monday, with attorneys warning that immigration authorities may transport “a significant number” of detainees on the same day.
Some detainees have been told they may be flown to Ukraine or Poland on US government aircraft, a measure made necessary by the absence of commercial flights to Ukraine.
Embassy coordination
Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, confirmed the number of pending deportations and said the embassy was involved in discussions over travel arrangements.
She noted that the US is currently managing the process “given the lack of direct air connections with Ukraine.”
A senior aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking anonymously, said Kyiv would not oppose the removals.
“The US can deport as many as they want,” the aide said, adding that returning citizens would be assigned roles or tasks once back in Ukraine.
Deportations slowed by war
Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, deportations to Ukraine have been rare.
US immigration records show that 53 Ukrainians were removed during the 2024 fiscal year.
If all 80 cases proceed, it would be the largest group returned in recent years.
Officials have not disclosed when additional flights may take place.
Sources: WP News; The Washington Post; Ukrainian Embassy in the United States
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation
