After Donald Trump was elected to his second term as US president, a large-scale deportation campaign began in the United States. The Trump administration claims to focus mainly on the “most dangerous criminals”, but in practice it looks different. People with no criminal records are also deported.
Dozens of Ukrainians deported from the USA
As CNN describes, there are also many Ukrainians among them. Some of them have already been sent back to their home country, while others live in fear of what awaits them. The station indicates that they face an additional threat – deportation could mean automatic sending to the front lines.
More than four years of war have left the Ukrainian armed forces facing serious personnel shortages. At the same time, in accordance with local law, all men aged 25 to 60 are subject to military mobilization. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reports that approximately 2 million people are currently wanted for evading military service. Many of them are probably hiding abroad. As CNN points out, “a plane full of men deported from the US is easy prey for conscription officials.”
From the plane to the draft office
The station recalls the story of Dundyk, a tattoo artist who in November last year was deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from the US along with 44 other Ukrainians. The man was detained by the services in August in front of the court building, where he was supposed to appear for a hearing regarding allegedly driving without a driving license and without car insurance. Dundyk has previously faced numerous charges, including: driving under the influence of alcohol or assault. Most of them were dismissed.
— They got out of the car, they already had my photo. I didn't even see the judge because I was immediately sent to jail. Even though I had legal status there, the Ukrainian said in an interview with the station.
As CNN reports, Dundyk and the other Ukrainians deported with him were transported to Poland, from where they were taken to the border with Ukraine. They were handcuffed until they crossed the border. Of the 45 men, 24 were “wanted” for conscription. They went straight to the conscription office. Dundyk pointed out that among the deportees were Ukrainians who had been in the United States since birth and “almost do not speak Ukrainian”, as well as those who had built families in the United States.
