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Federal Programs for Ukrainians Affected by the War

There are several federal programs available to help support Ukrainians who are impacted by Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. On May 21, 2022, President Biden signed the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 that makes Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) Ukrainians (Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside of the U.S., and are coming to stay temporarily for a two-year period of humanitarian parole) and those granted Ukrainian Humanitarian Parole (UHP) eligible for federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) benefits and services, along with mainstream public benefits and services to the same extent as refugees. Additional details about the Act and how eligible Ukrainians can apply for assistance can be found below.

The Lautenberg Program

The Lautenberg Program is a family reunification program that allows certain individuals legally residing in the United States to bring their family members to the United States through the U.S Refugee Admissions Program. (Application period: 3/15/2022 – 9/23/2022)

The Lautenberg Amendment, was implemented to facilitate resettlement of Jews from the former Soviet Union and Soviet Bloc countries, however, as the worldwide refugee situation changed, the Lautenberg Amendment was expanded to include persecuted religious minorities in other countries, such as Jews, Evangelical Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baha’is, Sabaean-Mandaeans, Zoroastrians from Iran - as well as Ukrainian Greek Catholics, and members of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Applicants must have immediate relatives in the U.S. and though a crucial part of U.S. refugee policy, it expires each year and must be submitted by Resettlement Agencies.

There is no filing fee for this application. Applications can only be submitted by resettlement agencies.

TPS for Ukrainians

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status provided to nationals of certain countries experiencing problems that make it difficult or unsafe for their nationals to be deported to those countries.

A TPS designation can be made for 6, 12, or 18 months at a time. At least 60 days prior to the expiration of TPS, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary must decide whether to extend or terminate a designation based on the conditions in the foreign country.

Ukrainian individuals eligible for TPS under this designation must have continuously resided in the United States since March 1, 2022.

Individuals who attempt to travel to the United States after March 1, 2022, will not be eligible for TPS. Ukraine’s 18-month designation went into effect beginning April 19, 2022. TPS applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and undergo security and background checks.

For more information on TPS for Ukrainians, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/TPS-Ukraine

Uniting for Ukraine

On April 21, 2022, President Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), a new streamlined process to provide Ukrainian citizens who have fled Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression opportunities to come to the United States. This represents a key step toward fulfilling the President’s commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This program 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 for a two-year period of parole.

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.

All information provided below can be found on the USCIS, DHS, and Welcome.us websites:

USCIS: Uniting for Ukraine
DHS: Uniting for Ukraine
Welcome.US Ukraine Welcome Explainer

Beneficiary Requirements:

  • The Ukrainian citizen (or their non-Ukrainian immediate family member) who is outside the United States and who may be considered for parole under Uniting for Ukraine. Immediate family members in this process include:
    • the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian citizen; and
    • their unmarried children under the age of 21. NOTE: If a child is under 18, they must be traveling with a parent or legal guardian in order to use this process.

Sponsorship Requirements:

  • An individual who holds lawful status in the United States or is a parolee or beneficiary of deferred action or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) who has passed security and background vetting and demonstrated sufficient financial resources to receive, maintain, and supports the individuals whom they commit to support for the duration of their stay in the United States.
  • File Form I-134 Declaration of Financial Support - on behalf of a beneficiary under Uniting for Ukraine. This form is specifically for Ukrainians.
    • Ukrainians who have a pending request for parole filed with USCIS on Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, but wish to be considered for parole under Uniting for Ukraine instead, must have their supporter submit a Form I-134 following the instructions on the USCIS website to be considered for parole under Uniting for Ukraine.
  • Multiple supporters may join together to have the financial ability to support one or more Ukrainian beneficiaries.

    In this case, a primary supporter should file a Form I-134 and include in the filing supplementary evidence demonstrating the identity of, and resources to be provided by, the additional supporters and attach a statement explaining the intent to share responsibility. These supporters’ ability to support Ukrainian beneficiaries will be assessed collectively.

  • While there is no specific required amount, you and your group should plan to raise at least $3,000 for each person sponsored to help the family you are supporting get settled in the first 90 days after their arrival in the United States.

Benefits for Ukrainians

On May 21st, President Biden signed the $40B HB 7691 Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 that makes U4U Ukrainians and those granted Ukrainian Humanitarian Parole (UHP) eligible for federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) benefits and services, along with mainstream public benefits and services to the same extent as refugees (as with OAW Afghans). Like the OAW Afghans, U4Us will be granted Humanitarian Parole for two years.

The H.R.7691 package includes $900 million for the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement to support UHPs, for “grants or contracts with qualified organizations, including nonprofit entities, to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services, including wrap-around services, housing assistance, medical assistance, legal assistance, and case management assistance.”

ORR released Policy Letter 22-13 “Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees Eligible for ORR Benefits and Services” which outlines who is eligible for ORR funded services and what documentation is needed to prove eligibility. There is also an easy to read Benefits for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees Fact Sheet ORR has published on its website that outlines who is eligible and what services are available.

Questions?

Please email [email protected] to submit questions about Ukrainian Nationals arriving in Arizona.

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