The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accidentally sent an email to Ukrainian refugees on Friday ordering them to leave the United States immediately.
DHS told the roughly 240,000 Ukrainians who are in the US legally under a Biden-era policy known as Uniting for Ukraine or U4U, that their legal status was being revoked.
“DHS is now exercising its discretion to terminate your parole,” the agency wrote to the refugees on April 3, according to CBS News. “Unless it expires sooner, your parole will terminate 7 days from the date of this notice.”
DHS told the refugees fleeing Russia’s war in their country that they would lose their work permits once their parole status was revoked, and encouraged them to self deport.
“Again, DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States — the federal government will find you,” the notice warned. “Please depart the United States immediately.”
But, a spokesperson for DHS told CBS that the notice had been sent by accident.Â
“A message was sent in error to some Ukrainians under the U4U program,” DHS said in a statement. “The U4U parole program has not been terminated.”
The agency also retracted the email Friday, writing to recipients: “(Y)ou may have received an email notification titled ‘Notice of Termination of Parole.’ The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sent this email to you in error. No action will be taken with respect to your parole.” Â
While the Trump administration has not terminated the U4U program, they have suspended admissions under the policy, as well as status renewals for those already in the U.S.