It Is Time for You to Leave”: DHS Email Sparks Panic Among Ukrainians—Then Gets Walked Back

Imagine opening your inbox to find a cold, final line: “Do not attempt to remain in the United States — the federal government will find you.” That’s what happened this week to dozens of Ukrainians legally staying in the U.S. under the Biden-era “Uniting for Ukraine” program. The Department of Homeland Security hit send on what they later called an “error”—a termination notice that told recipients they had seven days before their parole expired. Panic erupted. Pregnant women.

Parents with infants. Sponsors flooded with calls: “What did I do wrong?” One day later, DHS tried to calm the chaos with a follow-up: never mind, that message wasn’t supposed to go out. But the damage was done. The community wasn’t just confused—they were terrified. “It left us with more questions than before,” said Angela Boelens, a sponsor and advocate helping Ukrainian families. This whiplash email drama comes as immigration policy grows harsher under Trump’s return. DHS insists the parole program isn’t dead, but the incident exposed just how fragile things feel. In a nation built by immigrants, even a glitch can hit like a gut punch.
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