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Menomonie Minute staff
The Kuznietsov family—Yuliia (mother), Khurmat (father), and children Nikita and Kiril—arrived in the United States in January 2023 through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service's (USCIS) Uniting for Ukraine program, a streamlined initiative designed to provide displaced Ukrainian citizens with temporary refuge under humanitarian parole. However, recent changes to U.S. immigration policy have left the family facing an uncertain future, forcing them to pursue alternative legal pathways to remain in the country. The Menomonie community has provided tremendous support to the family both before and after their arrival, and they are in need of assistance once again.
Uniting for Ukraine
Uniting for Ukraine offered humanitarian parole to Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war in their homeland. Humanitarian parole, a temporary immigration status used since the 1950s to aid those facing humanitarian crises, allowed families like the Kuznietsovs to enter the United States with the support of sponsors. In their case, Paul and Lynn Schwartz stepped forward, using private resources to provide housing, essential needs, and assistance in finding employment and adjusting to life in America.
On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order terminating some parole programs. As of January 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) paused the Uniting for Ukraine initiative and announced that immigration officials may begin reviewing the cases of individuals currently in the country on humanitarian parole. Those without an alternative legal status—such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or a pending asylum application—may soon be at risk of deportation.
Only option
The Kuznietsovs are seeking asylum, a legal process that allows individuals to remain in the United States if they can demonstrate a credible fear of persecution in their home country. Asylum is the only option to allow the family to remain in Menomonie.
Yuliia and her family are from the Zaporizhia region of Ukraine, an area currently occupied by Russian forces. If the war ends with the existing lines becoming the new border, their former home will be part of Russia.
The family lost their house, and Yuliia lost her business to the Russian military. Because they resisted the occupation, they fear Russian retaliation should they be forced to return. At the same time, Yuliia, having grown up speaking Russian in eastern Ukraine, faces suspicion from some Ukrainians who believe she and her family may have helped the Russians, further increasing their risk of persecution.
“We love Menomonie, and we want to stay,” said Yuliia. “Kiril (a 10th grader at Menomonie High School) likes getting up and going to school every day. He is lighter here [happier/less stressed]. The kids are nice to him.”
Help needed
With the assistance of the Schwartz family, the Kuznietsovs have consulted an immigration attorney in Minnesota to file for asylum. However, the legal process comes at a significant cost—$12,500 in legal fees. The family now faces the challenge of securing the necessary funds while navigating an increasingly complex immigration system.
The Kuznietsovs came to the US with next to nothing. While they have been steadily employed—Yuliia holds down three jobs, Khurmat works as a self-employed handyman/carpenter, and Nikita works two jobs while attending classes at CVTC—the unexpected expense is a financial challenge. Those wanting to help the family can donate to the GoFundMe page that has been set up to assist the family.
“They work so hard, they never take time off. Their English has improved so much. Kiril is in regular classes at the high school and just made the honor roll,” said Lynn Schwartz. “They have really become part of this community, and the support they have received from the community has been remarkable, and they are very thankful for that.”
The Kuznietsovs’ story is just one among thousands of Ukrainian families who sought safety in the U.S. but now face uncertainty due to shifting immigration policies. As the family prepares their asylum application, they remain hopeful that they will be allowed to continue building their lives in the United States.
“It's one thing when you do it voluntarily, travel, live in different countries. But it's a completely different thing when you are forced to do it. You have to leave, your time here is over, and it's not your decision. You have nowhere to return, nowhere to go. You don't feel free; you can't stay where you feel that your life is here. And you can't go back to where your life was.” Statement from Yuliia.
Author's note: all information came from an interview with Yuliia Kuznietsov and Lynn Schwartz and through research on the Department of Homeland Security website and the US Citizenship and Immigration Service website.
