U.S. suspends deportations to Ukraine, Russia and 7 other European countries, citing "humanitarian crisis"

The Biden administration has suspended deportation flights to Ukraine, Russia and seven other Eastern European countries due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, two people familiar with the pause told CBS News on Thursday.

In a statement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed a suspension of deportation flights to Ukraine.

"Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis occurring in Ukraine, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has paused repatriation flights to Ukraine," an agency spokesperson told CBS News. "ICE will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and make operational changes as necessary."