Ukrainian Refugee Faces Tough Decision Amid Immigration Uncertainty

Inha Fozekosh, a 33-year-old mother who fled Ukraine due to the ongoing war, resides in her Sand Lake apartment in Anchorage, Alaska. As her two-year humanitarian parole nears expiration, Fozekosh finds herself in a state of constant stress, checking her immigration status daily with little movement. She is among the 1,000 Ukrainians who have resettled in Alaska since the war began.

Having come to the U.S. through a Biden-era program, Fozekosh must decide whether to risk overstaying her parole or leave for Germany, where she purchased one-way tickets for mid-summer. She joins a growing number of Ukrainian families in Alaska who are facing similar dilemmas as their humanitarian statuses are in limbo due to recent freezes on immigration applications.

Zori Opanasevych, director of a nonprofit that has helped facilitate these relocations, stated that many families are effectively “out of options.” The uncertainty surrounding their status has intensified, with discussions ongoing among local lawmakers about potential solutions. Senator Lisa Murkowski has co-sponsored a bill aimed at granting temporary “guest status” to Ukrainian refugees.

Fozekosh’s son, Oleksandr, has adapted well in their new life, learning English alongside his mother. Despite the upheaval, she reflects on the stability they had built in Anchorage. The uncertainty of remaining in the U.S. jeopardizes not only her future but also her child’s. “I don’t want to make my son stay illegally,” she stated. As her departure date looms, she approaches her new life in Germany with a mix of heartbreak and resolve, hoping for a path to citizenship for her family.