Quick Bytes
- USCIS allows 170,000 Ukrainians in the U.S. to re-apply for a two-year stay.
- Uniting for Ukraine program requires a U.S. sponsor and self-arranged travel.
- Re-parole applicants must pay a fee, with costs set to increase in April 2024.
- Ukrainian parolees receive federal benefits, but new arrivals post-September 2023 face challenges.
Summary of USCIS Policy for Ukrainian Parolees
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has provided a pathway for displaced Ukrainians to extend their stay in the U.S. through a re-parole process. This move offers a degree of security to the 170,000 Ukrainians who have been granted parole, allowing them to apply for an additional two-year stay.
Launched in April 2022, the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program was established to offer a safe and legal entry into the U.S. for Ukrainian nationals, with over 23,000 having entered through the U.S./Mexico border. The program requires a U.S.-based sponsor and applicants to arrange their own travel.
Re-parole requests should be filed 60 days before the current grant expires, with a fee for Form I-131, which is set to increase in April 2024. The process for obtaining a new work permit (EAD) has also changed, requiring approval of re-parole before application and payment of new fees.
Ukrainian parolees benefit from federal entitlements and resettlement assistance, similar to refugees, aiding their integration into U.S. communities. However, those arriving after September 30, 2023, are ineligible for these benefits, and congressional efforts to extend support face political hurdles.
While President Biden has designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), it offers a shorter protection period and fewer benefits than the parole program. The efficient processing of re-parole requests and legislative action is crucial for the continued support of Ukrainian parolees in the U.S.
