On April 25, 2022, the Biden Administration implemented a new program, Uniting for Ukraine, offering humanitarian protection to Ukrainian nationals for a two-year period of parole. Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members, when sponsored by a U.S. supporter who agrees to provide them financial support throughout their parole, can seek this protection by filing with United State Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS has now opened an online portal reflecting the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement of Uniting for Ukraine.
Ukrainian citizens hoping to be considered for parole under the Program cannot apply directly, but instead must wait for initiation of the application by the U.S. sponsor. The process begins with the supporter filing a Form I-134 on behalf of a Ukrainian beneficiary, and when the application is “deemed sufficient by USCIS,” the beneficiary will then be notified by USCIS of next steps. All those who hope to be considered for parole under the Program will still be required to meet certain minimum requirements. The USCIS page offers further clarification on exactly who may act as a sponsor under the program, and whom may qualify as a beneficiary.
The Biden Administration has been proactive in addressing the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis. On April 18, 2022, Ukraine received TPS designation, granting those Ukrainian nationals present in the U.S. temporary parole and work authorization in the United States. While the Biden Administration had been quick to offer protections for Ukrainians in the United States when the war started, Uniting for Ukraine, addresses the growing refugee crisis in Poland, Moldova and other Eastern European nations. The Uniting for Ukraine Program provides a more streamlined process to provide more Ukrainian citizens a pathway to temporary refuge. The Form I-134 has been made available on the USCIS website for immediate applications by sponsors.
Should you need assistance with bringing a family member to the United States from Ukraine, please reach out to Stephen Antwine, Esq. at Green & Spiegel, LLC. He can be reached at santwine@gands-us.com or (215) 395-8959.
