What are legal immigration options for Ukrainian citizens trying to find a safe heaven in the United States during the war with Russia?
Since the beginning of the war on February 24, 2022, there are a few available options. These options may not apply to everyone. They may change. During the last week, there were many changes with consular processing of visas for Ukrainians. Situation is still very fluid. Here is a list of some possible options which should not be construed as legal advice.
As of March 10th, the US didn't announce any new refugee program for Ukrainians yet.
На сегодняшний день США не объявило программу помощи беженцам из Украины (нет программы куда обратиться за статусом беженца если вы за пределами США и хотите приехать по статусу беженца в США).
The Biden administration previously said it would accept up to 125,000 refugees in the 2022 budget year. That annual cap had been cut to a record low 15,000 under President Donald Trump. In setting the annual target for refugees, the Biden administration set aside 10,000 refugee visas for people from Europe, but it could expand that number to take in more Ukrainians if needed. The White House has said it will work with the United Nations and European countries to determine whether people who have fled Europe will need permanent resettlement in the U.S. or elsewhere. The 125,000 does not include the 76,000 Afghans who came to the United States after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in August.
(1) Если у вас есть действующая и неистекшая виза в США, вы можете приехать по этой визе. Затем уже находясь в США, если необходимо, вы можете подать на продление или смену статуса. В некоторых ситуациях вы можете подать на вид на жительство или на политическое убежище, если у вас есть лснования для этого (не у всех они есть). If you have a current valid and unexpired visa to the USA, you can use it to travel to USA, provided that the purpose of your trip meets the type of a visa. When in the USA, you can apply to extend or change status, adjust status to that of a permanent resident, or apply for political asylum, if you have legal basis for a particular application you are intending to submit The CDC and Department of State recently announced that the Covid-19 vaccination requirement was waived for Ukrainian nationals.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ukraine
(2) Если у вас нет визы в США, вы можете подать заявление на визу и попытаться ее получить в одном из американских посольств за пределами Украины (например, в Польше или Германии и в других). If you don’t have a visa to the U.S. you can apply for a visa at the US Consulate in the country outside of Ukraine. Проверьте информацию на момент подачи заявления на визу, т.к. изменения происходят почти каждый день. For example, in Warsaw, Poland, Krakow, Poland, Frankfurt, Germany, or other US embassies and consulates in other EU countries. You can submit a visa application online. Unfortunately, visa interviews are backlogged, and it might take a while to have one scheduled. Check the information current at the time you submit your visa application because information and advice changes almost daily.
(3) Вы можете попытаться въехать в США, пересекая границу с Мексикой или Канадой, попросив убежище и разрешение на въезд как пароль в США на границе в пропускном пункте. Это рисковано и обычно не рекомендуется. If you don’t have a valid visa to the U.S., but you can get into one of the neighboring countries and if have reasons to fear persecution in Ukraine (not merely escaping war), you can apply for asylum at a designated US Border Checkpoint and be paroled into the United States. It is a risky procedure and usually we don't recommend it. This option includes detention time at the border or in jail/detention center before being allowed to enter the U.S. It is advisable to consult an attorney who specializes in political asylum and this kind of cases in advance. It is important to show that you have family or friends or anyone in the United States willing to be your sponsor, and to have valid documentation of your identity, such as a passport and a birth certificate.
(4) Если вы находились на территории США 1 марта 2022, и у вас нет судимостей, вы cможете подать заявление на временный статус TPS и разрешение на работу, когда начнется период приема заявлений. Следите за носвостями или проконсультруйтесь у адвоката о ваших шансах и процедуре подачи заявления. If you are already in the USA, and have been physically in the U.S. on March 1, 2022, you will be able to apply for a TPS (temporary Protected Status) for 18 months and a work permit, which would allow you to get an SSN and a driver’s license, so you can live and work in the USA on a temporary basis. Follow the new and announcements at USCIS website to see when the application can be submitted and read the instructions or consult an attorney before applying.
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status
(5) Если вы находитесь за пределами США и у вас есть близкие родственники в США, вы можете подать заявление на гуманитарный пароль. If you are outside of the United States but have a close family in the U.S., you can apply for Humanitarian Parole. The application is filed in the U.S. with USCIS, form I-131 A relative must provide evidence of humanitarian reasons and financial support. It is not the fastest option and can take many months to be approved because it is currently backlogged since COVID-19 and Afghanistan crisis in summer of 2021. You can check the current processing times at USCIS website. https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
https://www.uscis.gov/forms/explore-my-options/humanitarian-parole
(6) Если ваши родные в США подали на вас петицию на воссоединение семьи, I-130, то в некоторых категориях можно попросить ускорение. If you already have a pending petition, you can ask USCIS to expedite it, if a US citizen or permanent resident is petitioning for their spouse, children, or parents.
https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/how-to-make-an-expedite-request
You can contact the USCIS at (800) 375-5283 and request to expedite your case. Please note that expediting a petition for any relatives other than immediate family members of US citizens or permanent residents is not going to help to get them to the USA fast. At this time, if you have a petition for your sibling or a child over 21, an expedite request is not going to help, because the process for those relatives is not delayed due to a backlog but due to a congressionally annual limitations on the number of immigrant visas available and them waiting for a visa number to become available in their visa category.
(7) Если ваше дело на грин карту по воссоединению семьи находится в Национальном Визовом Центре или уже было утверждено и вы ждете интервью в посольстве, попросите ускорения. Дело нужно будет перевести в другое посольство США. В настоящее время это Франкфурт в Германии для украинских граждан. If your case is pending at the NVC or at the US embassy, you can ask to expedite it. To expedite a case which is at the consulate, you need to send an email directly to the US consulate and provide the case number you received from NVC, and ask the consulate to schedule a visa interview. You may need to request a transfer of the case from Kyiv to Frankfurt, Germany, if a case wasn’t transferred yet. The same limitation for relatives who are not immediate relatives applies.
(8) Если вы уже находитесь в США, вы можете подать заявление на политическое убежище, если у вас есть для этого основания (опасения преследований на основании одного их защищенных групп, а не только из-за войны). If you are already in the United States, you can apply for asylum or for relief from deportation if you fear persecution in your home country under one of the protected groups or categories. All deportations of the Ukrainian citizens were halted recently. Asylum procedures allow individuals, who have reasonable fear from returning to their home countries, to apply for asylum in the United States. To qualify for asylum the applicant must demonstrate that there is a reasonable possibility of persecution based on one of enumerated protected grounds.
(9) Если вы уже в США в статусе иностранного студента из Украины, вы можете подать заявление на разрешение на работу в связи с особыми обстоятельствами и попросить его ускорить. If you are already in the United States as a foreign student from Ukraine on a valid F-1 visa, you can apply for emergency work permit by filing a form I-765 with the USCIS and asking for emergency work permits due to unexpected financial hardships they are experiencing due to the situation in Ukraine. You can ask to expedite your application. https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations. https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
Каждая ситуация индивидуальна. Не все варианты подойдут каждому. Стоит посоветоваться с иммиграционным адвокатом перед тем как решать, что лучше сделать в вашей ситуации. Every situation is different. Not everything will fit you. It is advisable to consult an immigration attorney before deciding what is the best option for you.
Hope this information helps!
Since the beginning of the war on February 24, 2022, there are a few available options. These options may not apply to everyone. They may change. During the last week, there were many changes with consular processing of visas for Ukrainians. Situation is still very fluid. Here is a list of some possible options which should not be construed as legal advice.
As of March 10th, the US didn't announce any new refugee program for Ukrainians yet.
На сегодняшний день США не объявило программу помощи беженцам из Украины (нет программы куда обратиться за статусом беженца если вы за пределами США и хотите приехать по статусу беженца в США).
The Biden administration previously said it would accept up to 125,000 refugees in the 2022 budget year. That annual cap had been cut to a record low 15,000 under President Donald Trump. In setting the annual target for refugees, the Biden administration set aside 10,000 refugee visas for people from Europe, but it could expand that number to take in more Ukrainians if needed. The White House has said it will work with the United Nations and European countries to determine whether people who have fled Europe will need permanent resettlement in the U.S. or elsewhere. The 125,000 does not include the 76,000 Afghans who came to the United States after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in August.
(1) Если у вас есть действующая и неистекшая виза в США, вы можете приехать по этой визе. Затем уже находясь в США, если необходимо, вы можете подать на продление или смену статуса. В некоторых ситуациях вы можете подать на вид на жительство или на политическое убежище, если у вас есть лснования для этого (не у всех они есть). If you have a current valid and unexpired visa to the USA, you can use it to travel to USA, provided that the purpose of your trip meets the type of a visa. When in the USA, you can apply to extend or change status, adjust status to that of a permanent resident, or apply for political asylum, if you have legal basis for a particular application you are intending to submit The CDC and Department of State recently announced that the Covid-19 vaccination requirement was waived for Ukrainian nationals.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ukraine
(2) Если у вас нет визы в США, вы можете подать заявление на визу и попытаться ее получить в одном из американских посольств за пределами Украины (например, в Польше или Германии и в других). If you don’t have a visa to the U.S. you can apply for a visa at the US Consulate in the country outside of Ukraine. Проверьте информацию на момент подачи заявления на визу, т.к. изменения происходят почти каждый день. For example, in Warsaw, Poland, Krakow, Poland, Frankfurt, Germany, or other US embassies and consulates in other EU countries. You can submit a visa application online. Unfortunately, visa interviews are backlogged, and it might take a while to have one scheduled. Check the information current at the time you submit your visa application because information and advice changes almost daily.
(3) Вы можете попытаться въехать в США, пересекая границу с Мексикой или Канадой, попросив убежище и разрешение на въезд как пароль в США на границе в пропускном пункте. Это рисковано и обычно не рекомендуется. If you don’t have a valid visa to the U.S., but you can get into one of the neighboring countries and if have reasons to fear persecution in Ukraine (not merely escaping war), you can apply for asylum at a designated US Border Checkpoint and be paroled into the United States. It is a risky procedure and usually we don't recommend it. This option includes detention time at the border or in jail/detention center before being allowed to enter the U.S. It is advisable to consult an attorney who specializes in political asylum and this kind of cases in advance. It is important to show that you have family or friends or anyone in the United States willing to be your sponsor, and to have valid documentation of your identity, such as a passport and a birth certificate.
(4) Если вы находились на территории США 1 марта 2022, и у вас нет судимостей, вы cможете подать заявление на временный статус TPS и разрешение на работу, когда начнется период приема заявлений. Следите за носвостями или проконсультруйтесь у адвоката о ваших шансах и процедуре подачи заявления. If you are already in the USA, and have been physically in the U.S. on March 1, 2022, you will be able to apply for a TPS (temporary Protected Status) for 18 months and a work permit, which would allow you to get an SSN and a driver’s license, so you can live and work in the USA on a temporary basis. Follow the new and announcements at USCIS website to see when the application can be submitted and read the instructions or consult an attorney before applying.
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status
(5) Если вы находитесь за пределами США и у вас есть близкие родственники в США, вы можете подать заявление на гуманитарный пароль. If you are outside of the United States but have a close family in the U.S., you can apply for Humanitarian Parole. The application is filed in the U.S. with USCIS, form I-131 A relative must provide evidence of humanitarian reasons and financial support. It is not the fastest option and can take many months to be approved because it is currently backlogged since COVID-19 and Afghanistan crisis in summer of 2021. You can check the current processing times at USCIS website. https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
https://www.uscis.gov/forms/explore-my-options/humanitarian-parole
(6) Если ваши родные в США подали на вас петицию на воссоединение семьи, I-130, то в некоторых категориях можно попросить ускорение. If you already have a pending petition, you can ask USCIS to expedite it, if a US citizen or permanent resident is petitioning for their spouse, children, or parents.
https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/how-to-make-an-expedite-request
You can contact the USCIS at (800) 375-5283 and request to expedite your case. Please note that expediting a petition for any relatives other than immediate family members of US citizens or permanent residents is not going to help to get them to the USA fast. At this time, if you have a petition for your sibling or a child over 21, an expedite request is not going to help, because the process for those relatives is not delayed due to a backlog but due to a congressionally annual limitations on the number of immigrant visas available and them waiting for a visa number to become available in their visa category.
(7) Если ваше дело на грин карту по воссоединению семьи находится в Национальном Визовом Центре или уже было утверждено и вы ждете интервью в посольстве, попросите ускорения. Дело нужно будет перевести в другое посольство США. В настоящее время это Франкфурт в Германии для украинских граждан. If your case is pending at the NVC or at the US embassy, you can ask to expedite it. To expedite a case which is at the consulate, you need to send an email directly to the US consulate and provide the case number you received from NVC, and ask the consulate to schedule a visa interview. You may need to request a transfer of the case from Kyiv to Frankfurt, Germany, if a case wasn’t transferred yet. The same limitation for relatives who are not immediate relatives applies.
(8) Если вы уже находитесь в США, вы можете подать заявление на политическое убежище, если у вас есть для этого основания (опасения преследований на основании одного их защищенных групп, а не только из-за войны). If you are already in the United States, you can apply for asylum or for relief from deportation if you fear persecution in your home country under one of the protected groups or categories. All deportations of the Ukrainian citizens were halted recently. Asylum procedures allow individuals, who have reasonable fear from returning to their home countries, to apply for asylum in the United States. To qualify for asylum the applicant must demonstrate that there is a reasonable possibility of persecution based on one of enumerated protected grounds.
(9) Если вы уже в США в статусе иностранного студента из Украины, вы можете подать заявление на разрешение на работу в связи с особыми обстоятельствами и попросить его ускорить. If you are already in the United States as a foreign student from Ukraine on a valid F-1 visa, you can apply for emergency work permit by filing a form I-765 with the USCIS and asking for emergency work permits due to unexpected financial hardships they are experiencing due to the situation in Ukraine. You can ask to expedite your application. https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations. https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
Каждая ситуация индивидуальна. Не все варианты подойдут каждому. Стоит посоветоваться с иммиграционным адвокатом перед тем как решать, что лучше сделать в вашей ситуации. Every situation is different. Not everything will fit you. It is advisable to consult an immigration attorney before deciding what is the best option for you.
Hope this information helps!
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