U.S. explores ways to avoid deporting Ukrainians after TPS ends — report

Although lawmakers from both parties hope Trump will extend the protection, some also support a fallback option: allowing TPS to expire without formally terminating it. That would trigger an automatic six-month extension.

Such a move would leave Ukrainian TPS holders in limbo but allow them to remain in the United States for at least another six months.

Politico reported that the White House took a similar approach when temporary protection for Salvadorans expired in September. Some lawmakers criticized the decision, saying it was unclear whether Salvadorans were allowed to work and study in the United States. However, the automatic extension would prevent deportations.

“The significant political backlash that would come from the administration trying to deport Ukrainians is a major factor here,” one congressional aide told the journalists.

“It’s flawed to keep them in a limbo status like El Salvador, but that might be a likely path for the admin.”

Politico noted that placing Ukrainians in such a status could help the administration strike a balance ahead of the midterm elections. On one hand, it would satisfy supporters of a hardline immigration policy who are demanding stricter enforcement. On the other, it would help avoid a reputational disaster associated with deporting thousands of Ukrainians to an active war zone.