Resources in Response to the Crisis in Ukraine
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The Idaho Office for Refugees supports our nation’s effort to welcome Ukrainian refugees who are fleeing war. Russia's invasion has displaced millions of people from Ukraine, creating the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe this century.
The U.S. government has pledged to welcome up to 100,000 people who have fled Ukraine and to expand and develop programs focused on reuniting Ukrainian refugees with family members in the U.S. Arrivals will come through the full range of legal pathways, including asylum, humanitarian parole, and refugee resettlement.
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 temporary on humanitarian parole.
Idaho's resettlement community stands ready to be part of this humanitarian effort, though exact numbers and arrival timelines for refugees from Ukraine have not yet been finalized. Refugee resettlement is meant to be a permanent durable solution that requires an average of 18-24 months of processing time, and it may not be the most appropriate pathway for those seeking temporary safe harbor until they can return home.
The Idaho Office for Refugees supports our nation’s effort to welcome Ukrainian refugees who are fleeing war. Russia's invasion has displaced millions of people from Ukraine, creating the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe this century.
The U.S. government has pledged to welcome up to 100,000 people who have fled Ukraine and to expand and develop programs focused on reuniting Ukrainian refugees with family members in the U.S. Arrivals will come through the full range of legal pathways, including asylum, humanitarian parole, and refugee resettlement.
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 temporary on humanitarian parole.
Idaho's resettlement community stands ready to be part of this humanitarian effort, though exact numbers and arrival timelines for refugees from Ukraine have not yet been finalized. Refugee resettlement is meant to be a permanent durable solution that requires an average of 18-24 months of processing time, and it may not be the most appropriate pathway for those seeking temporary safe harbor until they can return home.
Resources for Displaced Ukrainians:
- A collaborative community group called the Idaho Alliance for Ukrainian Immigrants and Refugees has opened a Ukrainian Welcome Center in Nampa that provides resources and assistance. Contact the Alliance:
- Email: IdahoAllianceforUkraine@gmail.com
- Phone: 208-861-9980
- Welcome Center: 304 16th Ave. N., Nampa ID 83687
- Apply for humanitarian parole through the new Uniting for Ukraine program.
- If you are still in Ukraine seeking to get out, complete the U.S. State Department’s Crisis Intake Form. This form is for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and their eligible family members. Providing as much of the information as possible will help the State Department to provide assistance.
- U.S. citizens seeking to depart Ukraine or their relatives can call 1-833-741-2777 (in the U.S.) or 1-606-260-4379 (from overseas) for assistance.
- Information from the State Department about immigration and refugee programs, humanitarian parole, and vaccine travel requirements.
- Guidance from the U.N. Refugee Agency on where to go for help.
- The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine provides contact information for assistance:
- Ukraine-Related Calls: +1 606 260 4379 (outside the U.S.) or +1 833 741 2777 (from the U.S.)
- Humanitarian Assistance and Visa Information for Ukrainians who have Evacuated to Poland
- Click here for more details and contacts.
- The Lautenberg Amendment provides a pathway for members of historically persecuted religious groups from Ukraine and other countries in the former Soviet Union to be reunited with family members already living in the U.S. Click here to read more from HIAS.
- Those wishing to offer assistance to Ukrainian refugees who have already been resettled in the U.S. via the Lautenberg Program, can contact their local resettlement agencies.
- For Ukrainians who are already living in the United States with Temporary Protected Status, the Department of Homeland Security has extended their stay for at least another 18 months. Those who arrived by April 11 are eligible.
Resources for Idahoans Who Want to Help:
LEARN MORE:
- A collaborative community group called the Idaho Alliance for Ukrainian Immigrants and Refugees has opened a Ukrainian Welcome Center in Nampa to provide immediate assistance to arrivals, language classes, child care, community dinners and more. Visit idahoforukraine.org to learn more, sign up to volunteer, and donate.
- Contact the Alliance:
- IdahoAllianceforUkraine@gmail.com
- 208-861-9980
- Contact the Alliance:
- Help with affordable housing options for refugees by visiting HouseYourNeighbor.org, a local effort by Neighbors United in Boise
- Apply to sponsor a family or individuals from Ukraine through the Uniting for Ukraine program, which launched April 25, 2022, through the Department of Homeland Security.
- Guidance on required vaccines and exceptions for the Uniting for Ukraine program (Yкраїнський переклад)
- A community sponsorship program was also created to welcome Afghan refugees. Learn more here.
- Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine is organized by multiple churches in the Treasure Valley, collecting 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
LEARN MORE:
- Some displaced Ukrainians are entering the U.S. and Idaho through a program called humanitarian parole. Learn more here.
- Explainer: How US immigration policies will affect Ukrainian refugees
Resettlement in Idaho:
The Idaho Office for Refugees serves as the state coordinator of refugee resettlement in Idaho. We will continue to work closely with resettlement agencies, their national affiliates, and the U.S. Department of State as we receive refugee arrivals from Ukraine and from countries all over the world, as Idaho has done since 1975.
Idaho is on track to welcome up to 1,333 refugees this fiscal year from many different countries. Our office coordinates with local partners, government agencies, and volunteers who work with refugees once they arrive in Idaho. Resettlement agencies in Idaho are located in Boise and Twin Falls, with a new small-scale partnership in Pocatello created to assist with Operation Allies Welcome.
If you would like to support resettlement in your community, please visit our Get Involved page or reach us at iorinfo@idahorefugees.org.
The Idaho Office for Refugees serves as the state coordinator of refugee resettlement in Idaho. We will continue to work closely with resettlement agencies, their national affiliates, and the U.S. Department of State as we receive refugee arrivals from Ukraine and from countries all over the world, as Idaho has done since 1975.
Idaho is on track to welcome up to 1,333 refugees this fiscal year from many different countries. Our office coordinates with local partners, government agencies, and volunteers who work with refugees once they arrive in Idaho. Resettlement agencies in Idaho are located in Boise and Twin Falls, with a new small-scale partnership in Pocatello created to assist with Operation Allies Welcome.
If you would like to support resettlement in your community, please visit our Get Involved page or reach us at iorinfo@idahorefugees.org.
