As of April 25, 2022, Ukrainians who wish to enter the United States and have non-governmental agencies or family members sponsoring them will be allowed to enter the U.S. and apply for two-year humanitarian parole under the “Uniting for Ukraine Program.”

Humanitarian parole doesn’t give Ukrainians a direct path to long-term residence in the U.S. But, it does give them temporary residence, and they can look at other options that may come with a path to a long-term residence. The current program for Ukrainians is a fast-track program for those Ukrainians with sponsors. The United States is hoping this program will decrease the number of Ukrainians showing up at the Mexican border. It is possible to apply for the Uniting program at the Mexican border, but it could be more of a challenge. Additionally, the United States may decide not to waive Title 42, which allows immigrants arriving at the border to be expelled before they are permitted to apply for asylum.

So far, there have been some Ukrainians that have come to the United States. However, the Uniting program is intended to increase progress towards the United States’ goal of allowing 100,000 citizens or other people from Ukraine to leave the country and come to the United States. There are some other options for Ukrainians who want to come to the U.S., such as non-immigrant and immigrant visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), asylum, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, and humanitarian parole.

Temporary Protected Status is a good choice for Ukrainians that are currently in the United States and have been in the U.S. since April 11, 2022. It is not a good choice for Ukrainians currently attempting to leave Ukraine. Although, this could change if the Department of Homeland Security changes the eligibility date to allow more Ukrainians to take advantage of this program.

Visitor visas are not a useful option for Ukrainians because the people obtaining these visas are supposed to be in the U.S. for a temporary stay and need to show they have definite plans to return to their home country, and this is not likely to be the case for Ukrainians with the war continuing in Ukraine.

Ukrainians who are granted refugee status are permitted to work in the United States, and Ukrainians who are part of the “Uniting for Ukraine Program” can work as well once they are granted humanitarian parole.

It will help Ukrainians care for themselves and their families, and it will provide an additional source of labor for businesses during the current labor shortages.

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