Tampa, Fla. (WFLA) — Three years have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine, sparking the latest deadly conflict between the two countries.
The fight forced many people in the United States, including Tampa Bay, to flee and seek shelter and safety.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump told journalists in the oval office that he was considering revoking the temporary protected status of refugees from a war-torn country.
Tetian Chupryna lives in Tampa and she is from Ukraine.
“I might not be home anymore,” Chupurina said.
Chupryna is caring for her 75-year-old mother, who has temporary legal status for the war. They come from small towns in the eastern part of the country.
“My mother has come to the US. Her house has been bombed. She has no windows. The roof is damaged. Many people have lost everything they live in completely,” Chupurina said.
A White House spokesman posted on social media that no decisions have been made on their legal status. Reuters first reported plans that the Trump administration will change course next month. This article cited Trump administration officials as sources.
“If they are going to deport Ukrainians, where are they going?” asked Chuprina.
Reuters also reported that the plan was in place earlier when President Trump publicly clashed with the Ukrainian president.
Chupryna met with members of Congress, including staff members of Rep. Kathy Castor and Anna Paulina Luna. However, it is unclear what power Congress has on this issue, as it is a decision at the executive level.
“You know, we’re all hanging in the air. I don’t know. I don’t know if they can do anything,” Chupurina said.
Chuprina also mentioned how grateful she is for the support from the US and European countries that support Ukraine.
Rep. Kathy Caster sent a statement:
“President Trump surrenders to America and freedom-loving people. I met with many Ukrainian families who have found safety, community and employment in the Tampa Bay area. They fear that Trump ignores war-torn Ukraine and that a temporary revocation of protected status will send them into dangerous and deadly circumstances. I encouraged Putin to assert the region of Ukraine, and now it is harming Ukrainian families. I am allegedly intending to return to the way that Trump is accused of his family of Ukrainians to have temporary shelter from the Russian war. With more displaced Ukrainians evacuated to European countries, I am grateful for their humanitarian efforts. This is particularly cruel and irresponsible, but it is not surprising given that Trump is adorning a brutal dictator like Putin. He seems to want to be one of them.”
