WHO CAN BE A FINANCIAL SPONSOR/SUPPORTER?
ANSWER: Any person in the US who has legal status and can pass security/background vetting and demonstrate sufficient financial resources to receive, maintain and support the Ukrainian citizen during their temporary stay in the US. Examples of qualified US residents and legal status to be a sponsor:
Please note, multiple supporters may join together to have the financial ability to support 1 or more Ukrainian beneficiaries. In this case, there must be ONE primary supporter who should file and sign the form and can include in the filing supplementary evidence demonstrating the identity of and resources of other supporters to be provided. The additional supporters should attach a statement explaining the intent to share responsibility. These supporters’ ability to support Ukrainian beneficiaries will be assessed collectively.
Form I-134 requires an individual to sign the form; organizations may not serve as the named supporter on Form I-134. However, if an organization or other entity is providing financial or other services to the named individual for the purpose of facilitating support, this information should be provided as part of the evidence submitted with the Form I-134 and will be taken into account in determining the supporter’s ability to support the named beneficiary.
Click HERE to Learn More
WHO CAN BE A BENEFICARY OF HUMANITARIN PAROLE?
Answer: Any Ukrainian citizen. If the person is not a citizen of Ukraine but is the spouse or unmarried child (under the age of 21 years old) of a Ukrainian citizen, then they can qualify as a beneficiary to be sponsored.
PRAYER:
Merciful God, we pray for families and individuals who have left or fled their homes, seeker safer and better lives. We lift up to you their hopes, fears, and needs, that they may be protected on their journeys, their dignity and rights may be honored and upheld, and they may be welcomed with open arms into generous and compassionate communities. Amen. (Catholic Charities USA)
DONATE TO CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS):
CRS and Caritas partners are ready to provide safe shelter, hot meals, hygiene supplies, fuel to keep warm, transport to safe areas, counseling support, and more. Learn more about the humanitarian work happening on the ground in Ukraine by clicking HERE.
Donate securely online at https://support.crs.org/donate/donate-ukraine or send checks to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21297-0303. Please write on the check "Ukraine Aid."
HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS:
If you are aware of Ukrainian individuals who are currently living in your community, offer your support to help secure housing and other basic needs if they have family members who have received a visa to enter the United States.
On April 19, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted the Federal Register notice on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine. These notices provide information about how to register for TPS under each country’s designation. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced the 18-month designation of Ukraine for TPS.
To apply for TPS for nationals of Ukraine, please see further instructions from USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov/
Individuals eligible for TPS under this designation must have continuously resided in the United States since April 11, 2022. Individuals who attempt to travel to the United States after April 11, 2022, will not be eligible for TPS. Ukraine’s 18-month designation became effective on April 19, 2022, on the publication date of the Federal Register notice. The Federal Register notice provides instructions for applying for TPS and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). TPS applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and undergo security and background checks.
A country may be designated for TPS when conditions in the country fall into one or more of the three statutory bases for designation: ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. This designation is based on both ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ukraine that prevent Ukrainian nationals, and those of no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine, from returning to Ukraine safely. These conditions result from the full-scale Russian military invasion of Ukraine, which marks the largest conventional military action in Europe since World War II. This invasion has caused a humanitarian crisis with significant numbers of individuals fleeing and damage to civilian infrastructure that has left nearly a million individuals without electricity or water or access to food, basic supplies, shelter, and emergency medical services.
On March 3, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.
“Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “In these extraordinary times, we will continue to offer our support and protection to Ukrainian nationals in the United States.”
A country may be designated for TPS when conditions in the country fall into one or more of the three statutory bases for designation: ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. This designation is based on both ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ukraine that prevent Ukrainian nationals, and those of no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine, from returning to Ukraine safely. These conditions result from the full-scale Russian military invasion into Ukraine, which marks the largest conventional military action in Europe since World War II. This invasion has caused a humanitarian crisis with significant numbers of individuals fleeing and damage to civilian infrastructure that has left nearly a million individuals without electricity or water or access to food, basic supplies, shelter, and emergency medical services.
Individuals eligible for TPS under this designation must have continuously resided in the United States since March 1, 2022. Individuals who attempt to travel to the United States after March 1, 2022, will not be eligible for TPS. Ukraine’s 18-month designation will go into effect on the publication date of the forthcoming Federal Register notice. The Federal Register notice will provide instructions for applying for TPS and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). TPS applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and undergo security and background checks.
Per Catholic Relief Services (CRS):
A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Ukraine after Russia invaded the country from three sides in the early hours of Thursday, February 24, 2022. Cities across the country have been bombed, including the capital city of Kyiv and the eastern city of Kharkiv. In less than two weeks, nearly 2 million people have fled the ongoing fighting for safety in neighboring countries like Poland, Hungary, and Moldova.
Click HERE to read more on the developing situation in Ukraine and the impacts on those most vulnerable.
WATCH a Facebook Live Interview with CRS staff in Moldova.
Click HERE to read a statement on the Ukrainian situation from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).