Cleveland-area sponsors are voicing concerns over the uncertain future of Ukrainians they helped bring to the United States through a now-paused sponsorship program. The White House on Thursday refuted reports suggesting plans to revoke their legal status, with the press secretary stating that no decision has been made at this time.
For both sponsors and the individuals they assisted, the lack of clear answers has led to growing anxiety. “It brings me to my knees,” said Marianne Kartson, a sponsor from Middleburgh Heights. “I say, ‘Lord, you’re still in control and ultimately, please help.’” Kartson, who sponsored two Ukrainian women under the Uniting for Ukraine program, said she remains steadfast in faith despite the uncertainty. “They’ve enriched my life beyond,” she added.
Kartson and her daughter, Krista, were first introduced to the public in December 2023 alongside the Ukrainian mother and daughter they sponsored. However, due to the current situation, the Ukrainian women have chosen to remain out of the spotlight. Kartson said they are taking each day as it comes, trying to remain calm despite the uncertainty.
Uniting for Ukraine was launched by the Biden Administration to address the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The program allowed U.S. citizens, like Kartson, to privately sponsor Ukrainians who entered the country under a temporary two-year humanitarian parole. While the program did not provide a pathway to citizenship, sponsors helped newcomers secure housing, employment, schooling for children, and essential paperwork. Many, including Kartson, formed close bonds with those they assisted.
“All of the Ukrainian people I have met who have come here have hit the ground running,” said Eileen Wilson, executive director of the nonprofit Yamanna, which operates under True Freedom Ministries. Wilson, who has decades of experience working with refugee and immigrant families in Northeast Ohio, has worked alongside sponsors to provide support services. She emphasized that the issue is deeply personal for many in the region, particularly in Parma, home to Ohio’s largest Ukrainian population. Thousands of sponsorship applications have come from the Cleveland area alone.
The Uniting for Ukraine program was paused by the Trump Administration in late January. On Thursday, the White House press secretary reiterated that no final decision has been made regarding the legal status of those currently in the U.S. under the program.
During a separate discussion on immigration, Senator Bernie Moreno was asked about the reports surrounding the program. While he did not address Uniting for Ukraine specifically, he remarked, “I think what President Trump is talking about here—and I agree with him whole-heartedly—is that we have to stop putting exceptions into our immigration system.”
Wilson, however, sees the issue as humanitarian rather than political. “These are people that we welcomed in, and when we welcomed them in, we said, ‘We will have a place for you and a home for you, and yes, it may be temporary, but we will bring you in.’ And I think we need to consider that message before we consider slamming a door,” she said.
Kartson shared that the mother and daughter she sponsored have become self-sufficient, working full-time in retail. She remains hopeful for their future. “They’ve become so self-sufficient, independent, and they’re just very grateful for the opportunity to be here in safety and here living in peace,” she said.
For now, the White House has not made any official changes to the program. In the meantime, advocacy organizations, such as welcome.us, are advising those affected to explore alternative legal options, including asylum, where possible.