Russia's war against Ukraine is not over and unfortunately, Ukrainians here in the United States are worrying whether or not they'll be forced to go back to a war-torn country.

As you may know, I have dedicated my platform to reporting on this war because the suffering doesn't end when the headlines disappear or if other wars begin. 

Every day, Ukrainian civilians continue to endure missile strikes, drone attacks, and the destruction of their homes and communities.

The United Nations continues to document civilian deaths, injuries, and widespread attacks on civilian infrastructure. Returning to Ukraine is still not safe for many families.

When the United States recognized the humanitarian crisis created by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, our country acted.

The U.S. government created Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), a humanitarian parole program that allowed displaced Ukrainians to legally enter the United States with the support of American sponsors. Thousands of families found safety here after fleeing bombed cities, occupied towns, and the devastation of war.

At the same time, the United States designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowing eligible Ukrainians who were already in the country to remain here legally because returning home was unsafe. TPS also allows recipients to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)—the work permit that lets them legally earn a living, support their families, pay taxes, and contribute to the communities that welcomed them.

These programs were never intended to be permanent. But they were created with one understanding: they would remain in place as long as Ukraine remained unsafe.

Today, that promise is in horrible jeopardy.

Unless the Department of Homeland Security extends Ukraine's TPS designation before it expires, which is October 19th 2026, thousands of families face losing the legal protections that allow them to remain and work in the United States.

Families who have spent years building stable lives could once again find themselves living in uncertainty.

Then, as if the uncertainty surrounding TPS wasn't enough, thousands of Ukrainian families were hit with another devastating blow.

A recent federal court ruling has created new uncertainty surrounding Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) the work permits that many Ukrainians rely on to legally earn a living in the United States.

An EAD isn't just a piece of plastic. It's what allows someone to go to work, collect a paycheck, pay rent, buy groceries, support their children, and keep a roof over their family's head.

Many Ukrainians did exactly what the U.S. government asked them to do. They renewed their work permits months before they expired, paid the required fees, submitted every document on time, and waited for USCIS to process their applications.

But USCIS has left many of those renewal applications pending for months.

Now, because of changes affecting TPS-related work authorization, some of those families are left wondering whether they can legally continue working while they wait for the government to finish processing paperwork they submitted on time.

Thousands of Ukrainians followed every rule, filed their renewals on time, and are now losing the ability to legally work because USCIS hasn't processed their applications. That's not fair.

No family that followed every rule should have to wake up wondering whether they can legally go to work because their government has failed to provide clear guidance.

These are not strangers.

They are our neighbors.

They are nurses caring for our families, teachers educating our children, truck drivers delivering our goods, engineers, small business owners, students, and parents. They fled a war they did not start. They obeyed U.S. immigration laws. They have worked hard, paid taxes, and become valued members of communities across America.

The war in Ukraine has not ended. America's commitment to protecting those who escaped it should not end either.

We call on the Department of Homeland Security to:

1 - Immediately extend Ukraine's Temporary Protected Status for the maximum 18-month period permitted by law.

2 - Ensure uninterrupted work authorization for eligible Ukrainian TPS holders with timely filed Employment Authorization Document renewals.

3 - Provide immediate, clear guidance so employers and families know who remains authorized to work while applications are pending.

The United States made a promise to protect people fleeing one of the world's most devastating wars.

Now is the time to keep that promise.

Sign this petition today and tell the Department of Homeland Security: The war is not over. Protection for Ukrainian families must not end.

ADDITIONAL!!! - 

Folks have been reaching out asking if there was anything else they can do. THERE IS! 

Contact your Congressman or Senator! And if you don't know how to do it, there is a quick, two-click step to do so.

Jump on this website - www.uaportal.org and find your rep. They make it super easy to submit a public comment to your reps!