UPDATE: A Ukrainian family in Chicago faces devastating uncertainty as federal immigration agents, under the Trump administration’s Operation Midway Blitz, ramp up deportation efforts. Ilkhom, a father of three, was arrested on October 18 at O’Hare International Airport, leaving his family in turmoil as they confront the holiday season without him.
Shakhnoza, Ilkhom’s wife, shared that he missed their youngest son’s birthday, Thanksgiving, and now, Christmas. Their apartment, once adorned with holiday cheer, stands bare, reflecting a family grappling with a shattered sense of safety. After fleeing the war in Ukraine, they thought they had found refuge in the U.S., but now feel trapped and vulnerable.
Since arriving in the U.S. in July 2023 through the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program, which offers humanitarian parole for displaced Ukrainians, the family believed they would be safe. However, the Trump administration has paused new applications, leaving many families like Shakhnoza’s waiting for work permits and legal protections. Congressman Mike Quigley highlighted that his office has received numerous distress calls from affected families, many of whom have been left without valid documentation.
“They can’t work, can’t renew their driver’s licenses, and can’t meet basic expenses like rent and food,” Quigley said. The urgency of the situation is compounded by the ongoing war in Ukraine, forcing many to remain in the U.S. while fearing deportation.
Shakhnoza’s family had fled Kharkiv, enduring heavy bombardment and losing their livelihood. “We had nothing else to lose,” she said, recalling the day they decided to escape the war. Their hopes for a better future quickly turned into a nightmare as Ilkhom’s arrest left them facing an uncertain future in a country they thought would protect them.
In a shocking turn of events, Ilkhom was detained despite having applied for an extension of his parole status. He was arrested while on his way to work, leaving Shakhnoza panicked and her three teenage boys distressed. “I was shaking. The kids cried,” she recounted, illustrating the emotional toll of the sudden separation.
As the family navigates this crisis, their eldest son, John, has been struggling with feelings of fear and uncertainty. “I’m afraid we’ll lose our second chance at life,” he said, echoing the sentiments of many Ukrainian families in similar situations.
Legal experts like immigration attorney Svitlana Iva-Ugryn have voiced concerns over the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation tactics. “People are stranded,” Iva-Ugryn stated, noting that many clients who entered the U.S. legally are now facing detention despite no criminal records.
Authorities confirm that ICE is ramping up enforcement, and the latest legal interpretations allow for detaining individuals whose parole status has expired. “The current approach is to require asylum seekers to wait in detention rather than in the community,” said Linda Dakin-Grimm, a law professor.
The situation is further strained by new policies requiring asylum applicants to prove their circumstances warrant parole, a move that many see as an additional burden on families already facing immense pressure. Shakhnoza received a ‘request for evidence’ notice on December 15, ten months after applying for her family’s extension, and the $1,000 application fee per parole applicant poses an added financial strain.
With Ilkhom awaiting a removal hearing scheduled for January 5, the family remains in limbo. As the holiday season approaches, the emotional impact is palpable. “There’s no lack of fear here,” Congressman Quigley remarked, highlighting the anxiety permeating the Ukrainian community in Chicago.
As families like Shakhnoza’s brace for what lies ahead, the uncertainty of their future hangs heavy. The ongoing crackdown on immigration has left them questioning their safety and the stability they once sought in America. Time is running out for these families, and as the situation evolves, many are left wondering if they will ever find the security they desperately need.
