Uniting for Ukraine offers pathway to U.S.

Uniting for Ukraine is a streamlined process run by the United States Department of Homeland Security that allows Ukrainian citizens who have been displaced by Russia’s aggression to apply for temporary status to reside in the U.S.

Individuals or groups in the U.S. initiate a Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support for Ukrainians abroad with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Supporters must meet financial requirements and commit to assist with basic needs for the individuals upon arrival.  

For more information about Uniting for Ukraine, visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at USCIS.gov or the United States Department of Homeland Security at DHS.gov.

To be eligible for the program, Ukrainians must:

• Have been residents of Ukraine as of Feb. 11, 2022, or be immediate family members, such as spouses and children, of Ukrainian citizens, who are also eligible
• Have a supporter, who is approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 
• Meet program Uniting for Ukraine requirements, including vaccinations 
• Pass Department of Homeland Security screening and security checks.

Information about eligibility and applications for this program can be found at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Ukraine page at USCIS.gov or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Ukraine page at DHS.gov.

The terms “supporter” and “sponsor” are both commonly used to reference individuals who file a Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services inviting an eligible Ukrainian to travel to the U.S. through the program and commit to providing support to individuals upon arrival. 

The supporters are vetted by the U.S. government to ensure that they are able to financially support the individual(s) whom they agree to support, and pass background and security checks to protect against exploitation and abuse.

For more information about becoming a supporter through the Uniting for Ukraine program, visit Welcome.US, USCIS.gov and DHS.gov.

Once approved for travel by the U.S. government, Ukrainians must arrange their own travel within 90 days. Travel authorization enables airline carriers to generate a boarding pass and allow the individual to fly to the U.S. Participants must comply with existing travel requirements and, where applicable, immigration exit requirements of the country they depart.

Upon entry to the U.S., all arrivals are inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry. At that time, they are considered for humanitarian parole for a period of up to two years. 

People arriving through the program are issued “humanitarian parole” immigration status, which allows individuals in urgent need of refuge to enter the U.S. and stay temporarily. Humanitarian parole through the program does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or U.S. citizenship.

With this status, Ukrainians arriving through the program have:

• Permission to reside in the U.S.
• Authorization to work in the U.S. upon arrival 
• Access to federal public assistance benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• Access to specialized services funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. 

For information about Uniting for Ukraine, visit USCIS.gov and DHS.gov. Or visit Office of Refugee Resettlement.

The number of Ukrainians potentially eligible for Uniting for Ukraine will be driven by the number of U.S.-based supporters. States are informed weekly of the number of applications from supporters originating in each state, but not the specific number of arrivals. As of Aug. 2023, individuals or groups in Minnesota filed more than 4,300 applications to support Ukrainians through the program. 

While most are arriving through the Uniting for Ukraine program, there are other legal pathways people may also be admitted into the United States, including through non-immigrant visas and the United States Refugee Admissions Program.  

Supporting Ukrainian families is a combined community effort to help them restore their well-being after experiencing significant hardships. 

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Assistance in Ukraine legislation signed by President Biden on May 21, 2022, expanded eligibility for federal public benefits, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Office of Refugee Resettlement services to individuals who arrive through the Uniting for Ukraine program. Learn more about those programs at United States Office of Refugee Resettlement: Ukrainian Assistance Resources.  

Five resettlement agencies in Minnesota receive federal funds to provide initial assessment and connections for new Ukrainian arrivals. Contacting one of these agencies is a good first step upon Ukrainians arrival to Minnesota. These agencies include: Arrive Ministries, Minnesota Council of Churches, International Institute of Minnesota, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, and Catholic Charities.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services also partners with the Ukrainian American Community Center to help engage and share information with newcomers about available resources. It provides helpful website information, and hosts regular community walk-in hours and events for newcomers in collaboration with many community partners.  

Resettlement Network service providers can be found throughout Minnesota to help with a variety of services such as employment, community orientation and immigration support.  

County human services offices are available to people arriving through the Uniting for Ukraine program for assistance with food, housing, income, health care and child care.

There are a variety of opportunities to help Ukrainians adjust to life in Minnesota. 

To learn how to get involved, visit the Ukrainian American Community Center or connect to any of the Minnesota resettlement agencies that are providing initial intakes and connection to resources.