President Biden Announces Uniting for Ukraine and How Americans Can Sponsor Ukrainian Refugees

On April 21, 2022, President Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine, a new streamlined process to provide Ukrainian citizens who have fled Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression opportunities to come to the United States. Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily, with a period of parole up to two years.

Ukrainians participating in Uniting for Ukraine must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States. The process begins when the supporter files Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to include information both on the supporter and the Ukrainian beneficiary. Ukrainians who meet the requirements receive authorization to travel directly to the United States and seek parole at a port of entry.

Additional information on who is eligible to participate and how to become a U.S. sponsor is on the Department of Homeland Security’s Uniting for Ukraine website.