Biden announces new program for Ukrainian refugees to enter the United States on humanitarian grounds

CNN reported earlier Thursday that the humanitarian parole program will require Ukrainians seeking to enter the United States to sponsor a U.S. citizen or individual, which will include resettlement organizations and non-profit organizations.

Ukrainian applicants will need to undergo rigorous security checks and checks, including biometric and biometric screening, full vaccinations and other public health requirements, including receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, to be eligible. Ukrainians must also be residing in Ukraine as of February 11.

Sponsors will need to pass their own security background checks as well as advertise financial support. There is no limit to the number of individuals a person or group can sponsor, but management officials have indicated that they will assess their means and ability to support the Ukrainians. The Department of Homeland Security will administer the program.

“The Department of Homeland Security will continue to provide relief to the Ukrainian people, while supporting our European allies who have endured all that they bear as a result of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine,” Homeland Security Minister Alejandro Mayorcas said in a statement.

Individuals can start submitting applications through an online portal on April 25.

The limited routes to the United States have so far led to hundreds of Ukrainians going to Mexico, where it is easy to obtain a visa, and then trying to enter the United States through land ports of entry. More than 5,000 Ukrainians attempted to enter the United States in March, including more than 3,200 at the southern border with Mexico, according to US Customs and Border Protection data.

A Homeland Security official confirmed Thursday that Ukrainians should not travel to Mexico to enter the United States.

“After the launch of Union for Ukraine, Ukrainians who are at US land ports of entry without a valid visa or without prior permission to travel to the United States will be denied entry through the Union for Ukraine program, and are indicated to apply through this program,” according to DHS.

In addition to the humanitarian parole program, the Department of State is expanding the operations of the Refugee Admissions Program in Europe, with the goal of providing eligible individuals better access to the Lautenberg Program, an initiative aimed at helping people fleeing religious persecution from the Soviet Union. Union, as well as intensifying referral mechanisms for Ukrainians seeking permanent resettlement.

More than 5 million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in late February, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said on Wednesday.