How Are Ukrainian Citizens Seeking Refuge

Neighboring countries

How are neighboring countries helping? Since 2022, more than 2.3 million Ukrainians have sought refuge, primarily in bordering countries Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Poland, which make up 80 percent of Ukrainian refugees. A new corridor has also been made accessible by the Ukrainian government for humanitarian protection.

Ally countries

How are ally countries helping? The EU is offering a three-year residency permit to Ukrainian refugees. Many NATO countries are also opening immigration for Ukrainian refugees. Countries with the best path for citizenship are the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada. Canada currently has no cap on the number of immigrants seeking refuge.

United States

How is the United States helping? The Biden administration offered tens of thousands of Ukrainians temporary humanitarian protection in the US due to the ongoing crisis. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates that over 75,000 Ukrainians are eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status. This status will allow many Ukrainian nationals, including those without lawful immigration status, to remain and work in the United States for at least 18 months.The TPS is designed for foreigners from countries plagued by war, natural calamities, or other crises. TPS does not grant beneficiaries permanent U.S. status. It also only applies to people already in the U.S., not future arrivals from Ukraine, which has seen more than 1 million of its citizens flee to neighboring countries. Recently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) suspended deportations to Ukraine, Russia, and seven other European countries.ICE has stated that it will focus on deporting criminals and people who have violated immigration law instead of refugees. This was a welcoming change to the Obama-era policy which resulted in the deportation of many Ukrainians with Temporary Protected Status.While the conditions in Ukraine are still not ideal, many people have chosen to return due to the lack of opportunities in neighboring countries. It is estimated that only 10 percent of Ukrainian refugees will choose to stay in their host country permanently. The majority of Ukrainian refugees are women and children, which puts an increased strain on resources in host countries.Many organizations are working hard to provide necessary assistance to refugees, but there is still much work. More funding and volunteers are needed to help support those seeking refuge.

Asylum Seekers

What about those who seek asylum in the U.S.? Every year people come to the United States seeking protection because they have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution due to:

• Religion

• Membership in a particular social group

• No airlines currently allow refugees on a plane to the U.S. without a visa. Some refugees have taken a risky approach by traveling to Canada or Mexico, then presenting themselves to U.S. officials at the border requesting asylum. However, refugees could be detained and still have to prove a credible case for asylum.

  What about Ukrainian immigrants who are living in the U.S.? USCIS has stated that they are offering immigration services that may help people affected by extreme situations, including the invasion of Ukraine. The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:

  • Re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;
  • Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
  • Consideration of fee waiver requests due to an inability to pay;
  • Flexibility if you were unable to appear for a scheduled interview with USCIS;
  • Rescheduling of biometric service appointments.