UPDATE: A shocking ICE raid targeting Ukrainian refugees has left families in Chicago in turmoil. On October 18, 2023, Ilkhom, a Ukrainian father, was arrested at O’Hare International Airport during the federal operation dubbed Operation Midway Blitz. His wife, Shakhnoza, has since faced an agonizing holiday season without him, missing vital family milestones like their youngest son’s birthday and Thanksgiving.
Shakhnoza recalls, “We thought America supported Ukrainians. That’s why we thought it would be safe for the kids.” After fleeing the brutal war in Ukraine, the family hoped to find refuge in the U.S., only to confront a new nightmare under the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement.
Families like Shakhnoza’s, who arrived through the humanitarian program Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), now face uncertainty as the program’s processing has been paused for new applicants, and extensions for those already in the country are delayed. Congressman Mike Quigley reported that his office has been inundated with calls from distressed families unable to secure work permits or legal protections, stating, “They can’t go back to Ukraine due to the ongoing war, and they’ve exhausted all their administrative remedies, and they’re just forced to wait.”
The emotional toll on families is profound. Shakhnoza and her three teenage boys now sleep on mattresses in their sparse two-bedroom apartment, their holiday spirit shattered. “We put up a tree last year, but this December, that spot is bare,” she lamented.
In a stark reminder of their precarious situation, Shakhnoza’s eldest son, John, expressed his fears: “I’m afraid we’ll lose our second chance at life,” he said, reflecting the anxiety gripping many Ukrainian immigrants. The Trump administration’s shift in immigration policy has left these families vulnerable, with the expectation of increased ICE raids looming in the spring.
Despite the dire circumstances, Shakhnoza remains determined. “If we were scared, then maybe my husband would not have left the house.” She had provided Ilkhom with a folder of documents, believing it would protect him. Instead, he was detained, leaving her to navigate this crisis alone.
Chicago immigration attorney Svitlana Iva-Ugryn has taken on cases of detained Ukrainians who entered through U4U. “People are stranded,” she explained, highlighting the confusion and fear surrounding their legal status. “They’re saying, ‘How could it happen? We didn’t violate the law.’”
The legal landscape continues to shift, as experts note that the Trump administration is increasingly detaining asylum seekers rather than allowing them to remain in the community while their cases are processed. “The current approach is: Simply because you’ve asked for asylum doesn’t mean you can wander free,” said Linda Dakin-Grimm, a law professor.
Compounding the crisis, a $1,000 application fee for parole has been introduced, placing additional financial strain on families already struggling to make ends meet. Congressman Quigley condemned this policy, calling it “unjust” and a burden on families in crisis.
As the conflict in Ukraine drags on, the plight of families like Shakhnoza’s serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of political decisions. “There’s no lack of fear here,” Quigley stated, encapsulating the anxiety felt throughout the Ukrainian community in Chicago.
With a removal hearing scheduled for January 5, 2024, Ilkhom’s fate remains uncertain, leaving Shakhnoza and her children in a state of limbo, desperately hoping for a resolution that will allow them to feel safe and whole once more.
As the situation unfolds, the urgency for change grows, and families like Shakhnoza’s continue to seek justice and safety in a new land.
