The Tonkonoh family fled daily bombings in Ukraine and settled in Fort Myers, Florida, in 2022 through the Uniting for Ukraine program. Today, three of the four women in the family rely on that program, while the fourth, Sofiia, is protected under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which is scheduled to end on Oct. 19.
Family’s reliance on federal protections
“America opened its door for us, and they created this program. Right now, we don’t have any answers,” Sofiia Tonkonoh said. Her mother, Viktoriia, added, “I’m paying taxes here. I work hard and I’m doing everything the government asks of me.” The family has already spent more than $10,000 to renew their status, but the process can take over a year, leaving them in limbo.
Legal perspective
Ukrainian immigration attorney Ellen Freeman explained that pathways to a green card for Ukrainians are limited and sponsorship by a U.S. citizen family member can take years. She noted that TPS extensions are automatic for six months if the Secretary of Homeland Security does not issue a new designation, but the deadline for a formal announcement was missed.
“Because the administration didn’t make any announcement about the Ukrainian status and it’s set to expire, the TPS is set to expire on October 19th. It’s automatically extended for an extra six months,” Freeman said. “They missed the 60‑day deadline, and something else became a priority.”
Impact on the family
Olga Schultz, a U.S. citizen and the family’s matriarch, worries about being left behind. “I need my family because they will help me. I have depression. I cannot live alone,” she said, pleading for continued assistance.
Even if the war in Ukraine ends tomorrow, the Tonkonohs recognize that their lives in the United States will never be the same. “We moved from a country that is being bombed every day. We started our lives here. Even if war finishes tomorrow, it’s not going to be the same anymore,” Sofiia said.
What’s next?
The family hopes for a clear announcement from the Department of Homeland Security before the October deadline. In the meantime, they continue to work, pay taxes, and contribute to the Fort Myers community while awaiting a decision that will determine whether they can remain in the United States.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
