ukrainian welcome project

BACKGROUND

The brutal war in Ukraine has resulted in over 4 million Ukrainians seeking protection in Europe and even more internally displaced. The horrors we’ve seen are unimaginable in the 21st century, but they are happening. To provide some relief to the refugee plight in Europe, the US government is creating multiple lanes in a “protection highway.” These pathways are in addition to the very slow and clogged refugee resettlement lane we most often associate with refugees arriving in the USA. This page details these pathways and how your generosity will make a difference.

TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS

The US government is allowing Ukrainians who were in the US on or before April 11 to apply for this protective status. They may have arrived on a tourist or business visa they had before the war began. This status when approved allows the Ukrainian to stay in the US for 18 months, gives work authorization, and might possibly be renewed as has often been the case with other countries. Families would need support applying for TPS, finding housing, and expenses while they wait for employment authorization.

humanitarian parole — Uniting for ukraine

On April 25, the US government is opening a new program Uniting for Ukraine for Ukrainians outside the USA to apply for humanitarian parole to allow for quicker admission to the USA. This program requires a US sponsor and applicants must meet security and vaccination requirements. Once in the US, the final application will be adjudicated and then employment will be authorized. Ukrainian families will need application fees, plane tickets, initial housing and household items, transportation, etc. Humanitarian parole allows persons to remain in the US for two years while they can apply for asylum or seek other routes to extend their stay. Eventually, of course, families could return to Ukraine if genuine peace is restored.