Tensions Rise as Migrants Face Return to Conflict
News that some migrants have been sent back to Ukraine despite Russia’s ongoing invasion has drawn swift concern in Grand Forks, where UND hosts Ukrainian students and families with ties to the region. Immigration attorneys who track removals say they have documented multiple recent returns and estimate the total in the “dozens,” while the government has not published real-time, country-level figures for these cases, according to attorney accounts cited by national outlets and advocacy groups. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) previously announced a pause on removal flights to Ukraine after the 2022 invasion, but the agency can still carry out case-by-case removals in limited circumstances, as noted in contemporaneous coverage of ICE policy shifts by CBS News.
Humanitarian conditions in Ukraine remain volatile, with millions displaced internally or across borders, according to the U.N. refugee agency. That backdrop is central to the criticism from legal advocates, who argue that returning people into a war zone risks violating non-refoulement obligations under international law, a principle explained by UNHCR.
Local Impact: Grand Forks
For Grand Forks, the issue is not abstract. The University of North Dakota hosts students and scholars with Ukrainian ties through its international programs, and local nonprofits support New American families adjusting to life along the Red River. Groups such as Global Friends Coalition report increased outreach from residents seeking help understanding U.S. protections like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole.
Residents with family in Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Odesa say the headlines have intensified anxiety about travel, visa renewals, and whether loved ones could be forced to return before conditions stabilize. City officials and campus advisors are directing families toward federal guidance and local legal clinics to confirm their options and deadlines.
A Community in Shock
Across neighborhoods from the Greenway to downtown, the conversation has shifted from distant headlines to practical questions: who is at risk, what protections apply, and how quickly could policies change. Ukrainian American families in Grand Forks describe checking on relatives nightly and fielding calls from friends navigating court dates, work permits, and sponsorship paperwork.
Campus advisors at UND’s International Center say inquiries often focus on whether TPS and Uniting for Ukraine parole shield people from removal while the war continues. Local service organizations add that they are helping residents collect documentation, update addresses with federal agencies, and prepare for scheduled check-ins so they do not miss critical notices.
Policy Under Scrutiny
Under U.S. law, people with final orders of removal can be deported unless they qualify for protections such as asylum, withholding of removal, or relief under the Convention Against Torture. DHS has also designated Ukraine for TPS, which allows eligible Ukrainians already in the United States to remain and seek work authorization while the designation is in effect, per USCIS. Separately, the Uniting for Ukraine program provides humanitarian parole for Ukrainians with U.S.-based sponsors, as outlined by DHS.
ICE paused removal flights to Ukraine in early 2022, but immigration enforcement can still proceed in specific cases, including where an individual is ineligible for protection or has a final order and other relief is denied, according to contemporaneous reporting on ICE policy by CBS News. Legal scholars note that the non-refoulement principle does not automatically bar every removal but requires individualized assessments of risk, which can vary by region, status, and evidence presented in court.
North Dakota’s congressional delegation has pressed the administration on border enforcement broadly in recent years and supported aid for Ukraine’s defense, reflecting cross-pressures in federal policy. Any formal oversight of removals to active conflict zones would likely flow through House and Senate judiciary and homeland security committees, rather than state-level offices.
Humanitarian Concerns on the Rise
Aid groups warn that returns to Ukraine—even in small numbers—can strain families and local services in cities already coping with displacement and intermittent infrastructure damage. UN agencies say ongoing attacks, power disruptions, and housing shortages complicate reintegration for those who lack secure housing or support networks, per UNHCR’s Ukraine emergency briefings.
In Grand Forks, civic groups are focusing on practical help: connecting residents to attorneys for individualized screenings, checking eligibility for TPS or parole renewals, and coordinating transport for court appearances. Nonprofits also emphasize document organization—keeping copies of IDs, court notices, and proof of residency—to avoid missed deadlines.
If deportations continue, attorneys say they expect more litigation testing how non-refoulement applies in a live conflict and whether DHS must formalize broader pauses. Those cases could shape national policy and day-to-day outcomes for families living and working in the Red River Valley.
Resources for Grand Forks Residents
Immigration status and protections: TPS for Ukraine (USCIS): https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-ukraine
Sponsorship and parole: Uniting for Ukraine (DHS): https://www.dhs.gov/ukraine
Legal questions or concerns in detention: ICE ERO Contact Center: https://www.ice.gov/contact/ero, Helpline 1-888-351-4024 (24/7)
Civil rights complaints: DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: https://www.dhs.gov/crcl
Local support: Global Friends Coalition (Grand Forks): https://www.globalfriendscoalition.org/
UND International Center (advising for students/scholars): https://und.edu/academics/international-center/
City updates and services: City of Grand Forks: https://www.grandforksgov.com/
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Grand Forks and Ukraine
Congress could press DHS for clarity on removal practices to conflict zones and request updated, country-level data. DHS, for its part, can extend or redesignate TPS and refine guidance to ICE on case-by-case removals, which would directly affect Ukrainian nationals in the United States.
Locally, service providers plan additional know-your-rights workshops and one-on-one clinics for families in Grand Forks seeking to verify eligibility for TPS, parole extensions, or other relief. Employers who hire Ukrainian nationals are watching for federal timelines on work authorization renewals so they can plan staffing without interruption.
What to Watch
Any DHS notices on TPS extensions for Ukraine, which would determine filing windows and automatic work-authorization extensions.
Congressional oversight letters or hearings seeking details on removals to conflict zones, including Ukraine.
Local clinic dates announced by Global Friends Coalition or UND’s International Center for status screenings and document prep.
