“United for Ukraine” is a program of the  Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a 2 year period of parole*. 

Under Uniting for Ukraine, the U.S. government allows people fleeing the war in Ukraine to seek refuge in the United States on a temporary basis known as humanitarian parole, with the support of a sponsor in the United States. The sponsor needs to attest that they will provide financial support to meet the basic needs of someone fleeing Ukraine. They may also provide additional support, such as assistance enrolling in educational or training programs or helping newcomers secure employment. JFS staff are available to provide training and on-going support to any sponsor who enrolls a Ukrainian parolee with JFS.

Sponsors can be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other lawfully present individuals.

Additional information on United for Ukraine can be found on the USCIS United for Ukraine web page.

*see next FAQ for description of term

Humanitarian Parole is a tool used by the U.S. government to grant certain foreign nationals entry to the United States notwithstanding that they do not have a visa or other lawful basis to enter. Individuals who are outside of the U.S. may request parole into the United States based on urgent humanitarian need or significant public benefit reasons. Parole is considered on a case-by-case basis, and if granted, it is authorized only for a temporary period, specifically noted by DHS. Although parole allows an individual to lawfully enter and remain in the United States, the parolee technically remains an “applicant for admission.” Essentially, parole functions as a legal fiction, acting as if the foreign national has remained at the U.S. border despite having entered and resided within the territory of the United States. A parolee is not eligible to work immediately after arrival in the U.S. but can apply for employment authorization based on their parole status. Importantly, parole does not confer any independent immigration status, and parole alone does not provide a path to permanent residency or other lawful immigration status. However, a parolee may be able to obtain lawful status in the United States through other means.

To be eligible for sponsorship, an individual must fulfill these requirements:

• Ukrainian citizens who are outside the United States and their immediate family members
• If not a Ukrainian citizen, they must be an immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen, including the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian citizen and unmarried children under the age of 21
• Must have lived in Ukraine through February 11, 2022, and been displaced due to Russia’s invasion.
• Must have a valid Ukrainian passport or a child included on a parent’s passport. Non-Ukrainian citizens must have an immediate family member with a valid passport.
• Must have a sponsor in the U.S.
• Children under 18 must be traveling with a parent or legal guardian.

Sponsors may be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other lawfully present individuals. This includes Ukrainian Americans, immigrants who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), recently arrived refugees, and other everyday Americans, like you! Nonprofits, educational institutions, and employers can also help sponsor people fleeing Ukraine.

Sponsors must be willing and able to receive, maintain and support the beneficiary. Examples include:

• Receiving the beneficiary upon their arrived in the United States and transporting them to initial housing
• Ensuring the beneficiary has safe and appropriate housing for the duration of their parole
• Providing initial necessities
• Helping the beneficiary complete necessary paperwork
• Ensuring the beneficiary’s health care and medical needs are met
• Assisting the beneficiary with accessing education, learning English, securing employment and enrolling children in school

JFS staff are available to assist private sponsors with many of these activities.

1. The supporter or sponsor must fill out a Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, through the online USCIS portal. There is no fee for the application. The sponsor must show that they can support the beneficiary for the two-year period.
2. USCIS will check the information and conduct a security screening of the supporter.
3. Once USCIS has made a decision, they will email the supporter and the beneficiary.
4. If the Ukrainian beneficiary is approved, they will receive an email from USCIS to set up an account. The beneficiary will answer biographical questions and attest to their vaccination status.
5. Once this is processed, the beneficiary will be emailed their authorization to travel to the United States.
6. The beneficiary is responsible for setting up their travel, which must be done within 90 days of receiving their authorization to travel.

Services provided to refugees include but are not limited to:

• Integration –  Refugee clients are empowered to integrate into their new communities. JFS staff and volunteers provide cultural orientation and teach refugee clients how to access and use public services such as transportation and emergency services, enroll their children in schools or apply for employment, identify and select healthcare providers, and obtain things like state identification, driver’s license, or library cards.
• Employment – After reviewing refugee clients’ education level, English language competence, and job skills, we assist with job readiness and English language classes, employment counseling, and job placement and retention.
• Health – We support and guide refugee clients through required medical screenings and vaccinations and help them to access health care providers and treatment.
• Mental wellness – JFS can provide mental health services to Ukrainian Parolees of all ages. We will be conducting client-centered needs assessments and skill-building workshops to enhance problem solving and promote positive interactions. Depending on community need, we may also run psychosocial support groups, provide educational workshops, develop community activities that foster healthy connections, and provide traditional psychotherapy. For more information, click here or call us at 717-233-1681.

• Social Services – We provide assistance in helping refugees apply for low-cost housing, enrollment in education or training programs, medical and legal needs, citizenship applications, and accessing additional services as needed.