As they lose the right to work, Ukrainians who were once welcomed to US fear they will have to leave

Natalia’s son does not remember Ukraine. He thinks he’s been living in the United States his entire life.

“He doesn’t understand why he has to leave,” her friend Tatiana explained.

But unless there is swift action by the Trump administration, Natalia, Tatiana and their families could be among thousands of Ukrainians who may have to once again uproot their lives as their work authorizations and legal status in the US expire.

CNN is not using the real names of any of the Ukrainians quoted in this story. They say they fear reprisal.

Natalia, Tatiania and their families came to the US under Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), a US government humanitarian parole program created under the Biden administration that allowed private US citizens to sponsor and help support Ukrainians who left because o