Stand with Ukrainian Families in Oklahoma
A recent investigation by The Oklahoman highlights the experiences of Ukrainian truck drivers who came to the United States through humanitarian programs after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Several drivers have been detained in Oklahoma during routine work travel, including individuals who had work authorization or pending applications to extend their immigration protections.
The uncertainty is affecting immigrant communities far beyond those who have been detained. YWCA Tulsa CEO Julie Davis told The Oklahoman that some clients and team members are now afraid to travel, even when they have documentation authorizing them to be in the United States.
“We have clients and team members who said that they are feeling like prisoners. Even though they have documentation and are here legally, they’re afraid of being picked up, being put into detention, and being separated from their family.” Julie Davis, CEO, YWCA Tulsa
For families who came to the United States seeking safety and stability, the fear of detention and family separation is creating new uncertainty in their daily lives.
You can help.
Use the information and resources below to contact Oklahoma lawmakers, understand the issues and advocate for fair treatment, due process and continued protections for Ukrainian families.
Our advocacy is focused on two urgent concerns:
Delays in processing or extending humanitarian re-parole applications that could leave Ukrainians without lawful status
The detention of individuals who entered the United States legally and continue to hold lawful status and work authorization
Email to Oklahoma State Legislators
Subject: Please Help Protect Law-Abiding Ukrainian Families in Oklahoma
Dear Senator/Representative [Name],
I am a constituent from [City], Oklahoma, and I am asking for your help regarding Ukrainian families who entered the United States legally through the federal Uniting for Ukraine program.
These individuals underwent extensive federal screening, were granted humanitarian parole, and received authorization to live and work in the United States. Many are employed in critical industries, including trucking and transportation, and are supporting their families while complying with all immigration requirements.
Unfortunately, there are growing reports that Ukrainians with lawful status or pending applications to extend that status are being detained by ICE after interactions with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Some have been separated from their families despite having no criminal history and despite entering the country through a legal pathway established by the U.S. government.
Oklahoma should not be targeting people who came here legally, followed the rules, and are contributing to our communities and economy. These are families who fled a brutal war and trusted the United States to provide temporary protection.
I respectfully ask that you:
Contact DHS and ICE regarding the detention of Ukrainian parolees in Oklahoma.
Advocate for the release of Ukrainians who maintain lawful status or have pending re-parole applications.
Encourage policies that allow individuals to present proof of legal status before being detained.
Support efforts to extend humanitarian protections for Ukrainians displaced by the ongoing war.
Thank you for your leadership and for standing up for fairness, due process, and Oklahoma families.
Sincerely,
Key Talking Points
Ukrainian parolees currently detained or targeted in Oklahoma entered the United States legally through the federally authorized Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program. They underwent extensive security vetting, biometric screening, and background checks before being admitted.
Many possess valid Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and are legally authorized to work in the United States.
Many of those affected are commercial truck drivers performing critical supply chain functions that support Oklahoma businesses and consumers.
These individuals are not accused of violent crimes and do not pose a public safety threat. For those who have been recently detained, detainees were complying with the requirements of their parole status when apprehended.
Family separation and prolonged detention impose significant humanitarian costs on Ukrainians who fled Russia's invasion and who came to the United States through a legal pathway created by DHS.
Oklahoma should support lawful immigration processes and ensure that state resources are focused on genuine public safety threats rather than individuals who have federal authorization to remain and work.
Specific Ask
Release Ukrainian humanitarian parolees who possess valid immigration status or pending re-parole applications.
Restore parole where it was terminated despite continued humanitarian need.
Direct the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and federal partners to ensure individuals are given a meaningful opportunity to present documentation proving lawful status before detention.
Support an expedited extension or re-parole process for Ukrainians displaced by the ongoing war.
White House
Key Talking Points
The Uniting for Ukraine program was established as a humanitarian response to one of the largest displacement crises in Europe since World War II.
Ukrainian beneficiaries entered through a legal process established and administered by the federal government, with extensive vetting and sponsorship requirements.
Many parolees have complied with every government requirement, maintained lawful presence, obtained work authorization, paid taxes, and contributed to the U.S. economy.
Ukrainians whose parole periods are expiring need certainty that they will not lose lawful status while USCIS processes re-parole applications. USCIS expressly allows parolees to seek re-parole when humanitarian circumstances continue.
Continued detention of lawful Ukrainian parolees undermines the humanitarian purpose of the U4U program and creates fear among families who relied on assurances that the United States would provide refuge from the war.
Specific Ask
Extend or automatically renew humanitarian parole protections for eligible Ukrainians displaced by the war.
Provide protection from detention and removal while re-parole applications are pending.
Issue clear operational guidance to ICE that individuals with valid parole, valid work authorization, or pending re-parole requests should not be targeted for detention absent a public safety concern.
Reaffirm the United States' commitment to the humanitarian protections established under Uniting for Ukraine.
Markwayne Mullin
United States Secretary of Homeland Security
Key Talking Points
Oklahoma is home to Ukrainian families who lawfully entered under a program established by the federal government after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Many are contributing members of Oklahoma's workforce, including those who are in the trucking and transportation industries that are essential to commerce and supply chains.
These individuals underwent rigorous screening before entering the United States and were granted legal authorization to live and work here.
Families who escaped war should not face detention or removal when they have complied with U.S. immigration requirements and have pending requests to extend their legal status.
Congressional engagement is needed to ensure federal agencies are applying immigration enforcement priorities in a manner consistent with both public safety and humanitarian commitments.
Specific Ask
Contact DHS and ICE regarding the detention of Ukrainian humanitarian parolees in Oklahoma.
Seek immediate case reviews for Ukrainians detained despite having valid parole, work authorization, or pending re-parole applications.
Advocate for a temporary extension of humanitarian parole protections for Ukrainians displaced by the war.
Support legislative or administrative actions that allow Ukrainians who entered through U4U to maintain lawful status while long-term immigration solutions are considered.