United for Ukraine: The Grigorenko Family
How the uncertainty around the United For Ukraine program is affecting Ukrainian Refugees.
Charlotte, NC—On most Sunday evenings, friends can find the Lockyer family preparing dinner for whomever happens to come through the door.
And come, people do—family, friends, and most of all, fellow parishioners from St. Anthony the Great Orthodox Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
I’ve spent many Sundays with the Lockyers, and every gathering is marked by abundant laughter, great food, and the edifying conversations that unfold around the long dining table which stretches across their dining room.
But I hadn’t visited in some time. Life’s rhythm had kept me away. This Sunday, however, I had a promise to keep—and a story to hear.
As I walked into the house, Mark Lockyer was mixing vegetables and spices in a large bowl on the kitchen island. Some of the guys stood around talking about work and cars, and that’s when I noticed a man I hadn’t met before.
“That must be him,” I thought. And I was right.
Recently, I had written an article pushing back against media claims that Trump’s executive orders would lead to the deportation of Ukrainian refugees. As it happens, a Ukrainian family at St. Anthony’s had been deeply concerned about this.
Mrs. Lynn Lockyer had asked me to come speak with them. “They’re not sure what to do,” she continued, “they keep saying, ‘we have no home to go back to—where are we supposed to go?’ I don’t know what to tell them.”
Roman Grigorenko, his wife, and their two daughters are from Nikopol, in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine. He holds an engineering degree from a prestigious Ukrainian university, and before the war, they lived a comfortable life, steadily moving toward retirement.
But then the war began. Before long, it was at their front door.
Roman shared much about his journey to America: “When the war began, we decided to leave. We fled to Poland on June 6, 2022.”
He continued, “Everywhere we went, at every stage, there were big challenges. I knew I was powerless, but I would just say, ‘Lord, save us!’ I gave it to God, and every time, He provided what we needed. God is good.”
"How," I asked, "did you end up in America?"
“A year after fleeing to Poland," he said, "an opportunity arose to seek asylum in America. There were major hurdles—flights, housing, paperwork—but I prayed to God, and He answered.”
A factory owner in North Dakota sponsored Roman, helping him navigate the process and secure the necessary documents.
“I spoke to the owner of a plastics factory, and he said, ‘I will cover it all—just come.’”
Roman flew to North Dakota and took a job at ComDel Innovations.
In North Dakota, Roman was struck by the kindness of seemingly every American he encountered.
“Sometimes, during a break, people I didn’t know would come up to me, hug me, and say, ‘Roman, I know your family is still in Poland. I will pray that you are reunited soon.’ Or they would simply say, ‘We love you,’ and move on. This openness and kindness truly distinguish Americans from others.”
A year later, Roman’s older daughter settled with her family in the Netherlands. Roman, meanwhile, moved to North Carolina. That’s when he walked into St. Anthony’s Orthodox Church; the community immediately embraced Roman and his family, helping them transition to life in America.
“The same thing that happened in North Dakota is happening here with our neighbors. They say, ‘Roman, you’re a good guy—we’re glad you’re our neighbor.’ I am so grateful for this help and for this warmth that comes unexpectedly. We would hug everyone with love if we could.”
But even as they adjust to a new country and culture, the pain of war lingers: Roman and his wife, Ksenia, watched the church where they were married burn to the ground. He recounted how a neighbor back home was killed by a missile as she walked to church.
And it's not only the war which burdens the Grigorenkos; media outlets peddling scandalous reports which claim Trump plans to deport Ukrainian refugees, has been an immense emotional burden for Roman and his family.
“In our group chat, there are many, many Ukrainians. They’re all sharing news, saying, ‘Look! What will we do?’ We don’t know what to think.”
After explaining how President Trump and the White House Public Liaison Office have stated there is no intent to cut the program, a wave of relief visibly washed over Roman and his family.
What Does the Future Hold?
While their situation is stable for now, political winds can shift quickly. But those legitimately fleeing religious persecution and war should not be pawns in political games.
Their situation is not the same as those flooding the southern border. The Grigorenko family and other Ukrainians in the United for Ukraine program came here the right way—just as many of our own ancestors did—seeking refuge from war and persecution.
Like those who came before them, the Grigorenkos are deeply grateful to America for welcoming them. They feel a profound appreciation and loyalty to its people and hope to pursue their own version of the American Dream. But that dream is impossible to chase when one’s legal status is uncertain, and deportation could mean being sent straight back into the arms of their persecutors.
Let’s hope that the administration—and Congress—recognize this and grant them a more permanent solution.
