The same non-profit that helped bring Afghan refugees to the United States is now charged with finding sponsors for 100,000 Ukrainians who have fled their country.
Welcome.US is spearheading the effort as the Biden administration announced on Thursday the “Uniting for Ukraine” program which will allow Ukrainian citizens to apply for humanitarian parole.
To be eligible for the humanitarian parole, Ukrainians must have been living in Ukraine as of Feb. 11, 2022, have a sponsor in the U.S., complete vaccinations and other public health requirements, and pass “rigorous” screenings and security checks, per a DHS press release.
The recruitment push will be primarily funded by $3.6 million from the Goldman Sachs Givesfund. More than 60 partners, including service organizations and Ukrainian-American groups, are joining forces to get out the word.
The Washington Post adds:
The announcement comes as more than 5 million people, upward of 10 percent of Ukraine’s population, have fled to Poland, Romania and other neighboring countries, intensifying calls for the Biden administration to admit more into the United States. The administration is also anxious to control the fast-rising number of refugees from Ukraine and Latin America showing up unannounced at the Mexican border seeking entry to the United States.
“We are proud to deliver on President Biden’s commitment to welcome 100,000 Ukrainians and others fleeing Russian aggression to the United States.”
Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary, Dept. Of Homeland Security