Fox 12: Fleeing War to ICE Custody–Portland Advocates Ukrainian Refugees Are Being Deported
Yulia Brockdorf
Nov. 20, 2025
PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Advocates say Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war with Russia have recently been facing detention and even deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Yulia Brockdorf, director of DAWN, Inc. and a Ukrainian-American advocate for war relief efforts in Ukraine, said immigration has become a major challenge for Ukrainian families who have fled to the U.S.
“People who are here are fleeing some of the most horrific experiences,” said Brockdorf. “Now, with the immigration uncertainty, and uncertainty with documents, there is a lot of fear.”
Brockdorf said most Ukrainians fleeing the war come to the U.S. following proper immigration protocols. But with the rise in immigration enforcement, she said Ukrainians in the U.S. are unsure what to do.
“It doesn’t send a very good message to individuals, to the international community about trust/trustworthiness, and also about what we can expect from doing the right thing,” she said.