A new process for Humanitarian Parole for Ukrainians - "Uniting for Ukraine" Explained
Last week, President Biden announced a new process to apply for humanitarian parole for Ukrainian nationals.
Beginning April 25, 2022, Ukrainian nationals who wish to come to the U.S. through the humanitarian parole process must do so through Uniting for Ukraine program.
IMPORTANT: Ukrainians who present at U.S. land ports of entry without a valid visa or without pre-authorization to travel to the United States through Uniting for Ukraine may be denied entry and referred to apply through this program.
Uniting for Ukraine program eligibility in a Nutshell
To be eligible, Ukrainians must satisfy the following criteria:
must have been residents in Ukraine as of February 11, 2022;
must be Ukrainian citizens and possess a valid Ukrainian passport (or are a child included on a parent’s passport), or are a non-Ukrainian immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen who is applying through Uniting for Ukraine;
must have a sponsor in the United States who agrees to provide financial support for the entire duration of the person’s stay in the U.S. The sponsor will need to file Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support. The sponsor will then be vetted by the U.S. government to protect against exploitation and abuse, and ensure that the sponsor is able to provide financial support.
must complete vaccinations and other public health requirements, and
must pass biometric and biographic screening and security checks.
Note: To be eligible for this process, children under the age of 18 must be traveling to the United States in the care and custody of their parent or legal guardian.
Ukrainians approved via this process will be authorized to travel to the United States and be considered for parole, on a case-by-case basis, for a period of up to two years. Once paroled through this process, Ukrainians will be eligible for work authorization.
Steps in the Process
Step 1: Financial Support
Individuals participating in Uniting for Ukraine must have financial support in the United States. A U.S.-based supporter will file a Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, with USCIS through the online myUSCIS web portal to initiate the Uniting for Ukraine process. Financial supporters must be verified and found eligible by the U.S. government before the Ukrainian beneficiary moves forward in the process.
Step 2: Submit Biographic Information in myUSCIS
Once the supporter is approved by USCIS, the Ukrainian beneficiary will receive an email from USCIS on how to create an account with myUSCIS and instructions on the next steps. The Ukrainian beneficiary will be required to confirm their biographic information in myUSCIS and attest to completing all eligibility requirements.
Step 3: Complete Vaccination Requirements
Individuals who wish to come to the United States via the Uniting for Ukraine process will need to confirm prior vaccination against measles, polio, and COVID-19. If not previously vaccinated, individuals will need to receive the first dose of required vaccines prior to obtaining travel authorization to come to the United States.
Step 4: Approval to Travel to the United States
After completing the requirements described above, Ukrainians will receive a notice to their myUSCIS account confirming whether they are authorized to travel to the United States to seek parole. If approved, this authorization is valid for 90 days and Ukrainians are responsible to secure their own travel via air to the United States. Ukrainian citizens will need to meet other CDC travel requirements, including pre-departure testing for COVID-19.
Step 5: Seeking Parole at the Port of Entry
Upon their arrival at a port of entry, each individual will be inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and considered for parole for a period of up to two years, and may have conditions placed on their parole.
All individuals two years of age or older will need to complete a medical screening for tuberculosis, including an IGRA test, within two weeks of arrival to the United States. As part of the Uniting for Ukraine process, Ukrainians will undergo additional screening and vetting, to include biometric vetting.
Anyone determined to pose national security or public safety threat will be referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Step 6: Approved for Parole
If granted parole pursuant to this process, individuals will generally be paroled into the United States for a period of up to two years and are eligible to apply for employment authorization. Individuals may request authorization to work by filing a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS.
Are Ukrainian children seeking to come to the United States without their parent or legal guardian eligible for Uniting for Ukraine?
Not at this time. Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA), any child under the age of 18 who is not accompanied by their parent or legal guardian generally must be turned over to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and vetted to protect against exploitation and abuse. Sponsors must be vetted before that child can be released and reunified. As a result, children traveling on their own, or with a non-parent or non-legal guardian adult, are not currently eligible for this process.
For more information on Uniting for Ukraine program, see DHS website and the USCIS application center. .
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