U.S. launches Uniting for Ukraine sponsorship program

A new U.S. program called Uniting for Ukraine will streamline the process for displaced Ukrainians to apply for humanitarian parole and connect them with sponsors in the U.S. 

Starting Monday, April 25, 2022, U.S.-based individuals and organizations can apply through the Department of Homeland Security to sponsor Ukrainian citizens displaced by the war so they can live in the United States temporarily on humanitarian parole. Find more details in our Q&A below. 

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Community support is vital during this time, as refugee program benefits generally do not apply toward humanitarian parole cases unless approved by Congress. Read on for ideas for how you can help.

The U.S. has committed to welcoming up to 100,000 displaced Ukrainian residents, not only through humanitarian parole but through refugee resettlement and immigration visa programs. The State Department is increasing refugee resettlement processing and broadening access to visa processing for Ukrainians overseas. 

Our office is proud to partner with groups such as the Idaho Alliance for Ukrainian Immigrants and Refugees and the Neighbors United House Your Neighbor initiative, as well as highlight the work of faith and community groups who are pooling resources. When we band together with compassion and urgency, a lot of good can happen! 

We stand ready to do our part, while also remaining vigilant in serving refugees from around the world who have been displaced for months and years and deserve a safe place to call home. Idaho is on track this year to welcome more than 1,000 refugees from a wide range of countries, and we will continue to lean on the generosity of community members and partners to make this a stronger Idaho for all.  
 
Uniting for Ukraine Q&A 
 
Q: Who is eligible for humanitarian parole under the Uniting for Ukraine program? 
Uniting for Ukraine was created to serve Ukrainian citizens who have been displaced by Russia’s aggression. 
 
Q: What is humanitarian parole? 
Humanitarian parole allows individuals to live and potentially work in the United States for a temporary period of time because of a humanitarian crisis in their home country or a compelling public benefit for them to be here (such as attending a relative’s funeral or serving as an organ donor for a U.S. resident). 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services grants parole on a case-by-case basis. Find an in-depth explainer here from the National Immigration Forum. 
 
Q: Who is eligible for humanitarian parole under the Uniting for Ukraine program?  

• Was a resident of Ukraine as of Feb. 11, 2022. 
• Has a sponsor in the U.S. 
• Completes vaccinations and other public health requirements. (The U.S. government is working with European partners to ensure Ukrainians can meet the vaccination requirements.) 
• Passes rigorous biometric and biographic screening and vetting. 

 
Those approved through this process:  

• Will be authorized to travel to the U.S. and be considered for parole, on a case-by-case basis, for a period of up to two years. 
• Will be eligible for work authorization once paroled. 

 
Ukrainians who are seeking to come to the U.S. are urged to go through the Uniting for Ukraine program rather than seek entry at the Mexico border, where ports of entry won’t be accessible without a visa or pre-authorization to enter, according to DHS.   
 
Q: Who can be a Uniting for Ukraine sponsor?  
Any U.S. citizen or individual, including representatives of non-government organizations, can sponsor Ukrainian applicants. Sponsors must declare their financial support and pass security background checks. 
 
Q: Who will administer the Uniting for Ukraine program?  
The Department of Homeland Security 
 
Q: How can I apply to be a sponsor? 
Apply here through the Department of Homeland Security.
 
Q: How else can Idahoans help? 

• Support the Idaho Alliance for Ukrainian Immigrants and Refugees, which is welcoming and supporting Ukrainians arriving in Idaho through humanitarian parole.  
• Help with affordable housing options for refugees and other vulnerable Treasure Valley residents by visiting HouseYourNeighbor.org, a local effort by Neighbors United. 
• Attend the Community Concert for Ukraine Relief at the Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise on April 29. 
• Give toward Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine, an initiative by Treasure Valley churches to collect non-perishable foods, clothing, baby items, first aid materials, and survival gear at the Full Gospel Slavic Church in Meridian. (Read more here from KIVI.) 
• BRIDGES is an organization in Southeast Idaho that raises donations and build connections to help new refugee neighbors get settled. Other supporters in eastern Idaho include the Unity Alliance and Portneuf Valley Interfaith Fellowship.
• Support the Idaho Office for Refugees, the state administrator of the refugee resettlement program, and our programs and partners who serve refugees from around the world: 
  • Agency for New Americans, resettlement agency in Boise 
  • International Rescue Committee, resettlement agency in Boise 
  • College of Southern Idaho Refugee programs, resettlement agency in Twin Falls 
  • English Language Center, providing language training and citizenship resources for refugees and immigrants in Boise 
  • Global Talent, helping refugee and immigrant professionals reclaim their careers in Idaho 
• Visit the State Department's United With Ukraine website. 
• Donate to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund GoFundMe fundraiser. 
• Other opportunities to donate can be found on the Center for International Disaster Information website. Monetary donations are a great way to help because they provide fast and flexible support. 

 
Q: What benefits are provided through humanitarian parole? 
Few public benefits are provided, which is why the program requires a sponsor or financial self-sufficiency.  Most programs at resettlement agencies aren't funded to work with families and individuals on humanitarian parole unless they are granted asylum or Congress allows for resettlement benefits to be used in this way. We are hopeful Congress will give us permission to serve these folks through our federal program. Until then, we are continuing to raise private funds to serve Ukrainians and other asylum seekers in Idaho and support community partners. 
 
How many people have come to Idaho from Ukraine so far? 
Since Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24, no Ukrainians have arrived in Idaho through the refugee resettlement program, but several families and individuals have been granted humanitarian parole and are now living in Idaho.  Others have applied for refugee resettlement in the U.S., and their cases are processing. As of April 22 Idaho has welcomed five refugees from Ukraine this fiscal year, before the war, and we anticipate that number will grow.   
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