Ukrainians and US communities fear for their security under Trump

Ukrainians and US communities fear for their security under Trump

Sasha had previously heard a little about South Carolina and even less about the city of Hartsville when he and his family moved there in September 2022. They were forced to leave their life in Kiev on the basis of the War with Russia abrupt. They are not the only Ukrainians in this "small, rural community" that they welcomed and in which they have started to rebuild their lives.

Hope for a new life

"For me, the USA was like a fortress of democracy, freedom and the possibilities, and I thought I was finally in the place where I can start my life again," said Sasha, who, for fear of repressing, does not want to have named his last name, in conversation with Cnn.

Sasha, his wife and his little daughter are around 280,000 Ukrainians who were relocated to the USA as part of the “Uniting for Ukraine” program. This humanitarian program of the US government made it possible for private US citizens to support and sponsor Ukrainian refugees.

fear of uncertainty

Now Sasha's family, like many others who came to the USA under the U4U program, sees itself to be torn out of the life they have built up. Decisions on extensions of humanitarian stay, temporary protection status and work permits have been exposed to the immigration system of the Trump administration due to the far-reaching changes.

"This could be really catastrophic, not only for the Ukrainian families, but also for our community," said Curtis Lee, Sasha's sponsor and member of "Carolinas for Ukraine".

"This feeling of community is destroyed"

for Liana Avetisian and Alina Mirzoian, Ukrainian cousins, which were settled with their family in Dewitt, Iowa, this “administrative lock” could mean the end of their American dream. You have issued thousands for application fees in the immigration system, but have not received a temporary protection status so far. Her sponsor Angela Boelens explained that the administration suspended the processing of humanitarian residence extensions before their applications were approved. This inactivity leaves you in an uncertain situation.

avetisian felt betrayed. Boelens, who is also President of Iowa Newcomer Community & Exchange (IA NICE), emphasized that the community also feels back. "This community is absolutely destroyed. We do not know how to deal with the mortgages here in the city, people lose valuable employees, their children cry at school. We had to hire a consultant at the school to help the children understand the situation," she said to CNN.

The effects on the local community

Sam Heer, the four Ukrainian workers, including Avetisian and Mirzoian, dealt with CNN that it would be "painful" if they had to return. He applied for the four work visa, but has no "good feeling" about the status of these permits.

"You are great forces for our community, you work hard. You want to learn and take care of your families," he added.

The concerns of the neighbors

Hartsville is also preparing for the possible effects if your Ukrainian neighbors cannot stay. "They have become an integral part of our community," said Lee CNN and pointed out at least one company that rely on qualified workers from the Ukrainian resettlement. "People just accepted them. It will tear apart if that happens."

LEE warned that the inactivity of the US government "would actually force many of them to go". He said that they should at least give these people some security, even if that meant to postpone the decision and to grant them a general residence and work permit until after the intermediate elections.

The reality of life in exile

For the Ukrainians concerned, the idea of ​​having to turn their life again is traumatizing. "I feel very bad in this situation," said Mirzoian and admitted that she was "constantly nervous". Avetisian, who came with her husband and her now 14-year-old daughter, as well as Mirzoian, who came to Dewitt in May 2023 near Kiev, told about her difficult experiences in Ukraine and how welcome you are in your new community.

"The people here are all so good. They really helped us," reported Avetisian. Now that if you are forced to go, you will not feel able to return to Ukraine.

"I don't want to go to another country with my 14-year-old daughter, start again there, learn a new language, find new friends and search for a new house. That is very difficult," she explained.

Sasha feels like he was again in the "worst phase" of his life during the war, in which he felt that he had lost control of his life. His family fled from Kiev with just a few minutes to pack their suitcases after explosive defeats near their house could be heard. They were separated for several months - his wife and daughter went to Italy while staying in Ukraine to help build accommodations.

The family had learned from the U4U program by a friend and quickly decided to make an application. "We were a bit confused and anxious because we didn't know what to expect," said Sasha.

A video chat with Lee and his wife Barbara, who were her sponsors, helped alleviate some of these fears. Today Sasha started his construction company in Hartsville, where he builds affordable Tiny Houses from ship containers. "He invested a lot, not only in time and effort, but also in equipment and rental contracts," said Lee.

Sasha tries not to think that he may have to leave the United States. He remembered how his daughter was starting to speak when they moved to the USA after moving several times. "She always asked the same question: 'Papa, where is our home?' If you can't answer this question, I cannot explain how it feels," he said to CNN. "A few months ago she started to name the place where we live."