The move comes almost a month after Biden promised to allow up to 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, and aims to get Ukrainians interested in coming to the United States more quickly.
“This new humanitarian parole program will complement existing legal avenues available to Ukrainians, including immigrant visas and refugee processing. It will provide an appropriate channel for secure legal migration from Europe to the United States for Ukrainians who have an American sponsor, such as a family or an NGO, “the president said Thursday, while providing an update on Ukraine and Russia.
Biden continued: “This program will be fast. It will be streamlined. And it will ensure that the United States respects its commitment to go to the people of Ukraine and (they) do not need to cross our southern border. “
The president on Thursday also announced another $ 800 million package of weapons and other aid will be sent to Ukraine in the administration’s latest efforts to bolster the country’s forces fighting Russia’s invasion.
CNN reported earlier Thursday that the humanitarian parole program will require Ukrainians who want to enter the United States to be sponsored by a U.S. citizen or individual, which will include resettlement organizations and nonprofits.
Ukrainian applicants will have to undergo rigorous security screening and checks, including biographical and biometric screening, as well as full vaccinations and other public health requirements, including receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, to qualify. Ukrainians must also have resided in Ukraine by February 11.
Sponsors will have to pass their own security checks, as well as declare financial support. There is no limit to the number of people a person or group can sponsor, but administration officials said they would appreciate their means and ability to support Ukrainians. The Ministry of Internal Security will administer the program.
“DHS will continue to provide relief to the Ukrainian people, while supporting our European allies, who have taken on so much as a result of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine,” Interior Minister Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.
RELATED: In photos: See what life is like for Ukrainians waiting on the US-Mexico border. Through this process, Ukrainian candidates will be allowed to travel to the United States and will be considered on parole for up to two years. If accepted, individuals will be eligible for a work permit.
Individuals can start submitting applications through the online portal on April 25.
Restricted roads to the United States have so far led to hundreds of Ukrainians going to Mexico, where it is easier to obtain a visa to try to enter the United States through land ports of entry. More than 5,000 Ukrainians tried to enter the United States in March, including more than 3,200 on the southern border with Mexico, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
An internal security official stressed on Thursday that Ukrainians should not travel to Mexico to enter the United States.
After the launch of Uniting for Ukraine, Ukrainians attending U.S. ports of entry without a valid visa or prior permission to travel to the United States through Uniting for Ukraine will be denied entry and will be encouraged to apply through this program. “, According to DHS.
In addition to the humanitarian parole program, the State Department is working to expand its activities under the Refugee Reception Program in Europe in order to give eligible people better access to the Lautenberg program, an initiative aimed at supporting those. who are fleeing religious persecution from the Soviet Union. Union, as well as strengthening the mechanisms for targeting Ukrainians seeking permanent resettlement.
More than 5 million people have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in late February, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said on Wednesday.
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