Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – More than 3 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, according to United Nations data https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine, but the United States has only admitted several hundred Ukrainian refugees so far, leaving some critics questioning U.S. government policy.

WHY HAVE THE U.S. REMOVED MORE UKRAINIAN REFUGEES

U.S. President Joe Biden, and top U.S. officials, have stated that the United States is ready to receive refugees if necessary. However the administration repeatedly indicated that Europe should remain the main destination for Ukrainians.

Biden stated that he would welcome Ukrainian refugees to Philadelphia with open arms, if they actually come all the way from Ukraine.

Kamala Harris (Vice President), Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Secretary of State) and Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary have all made similar remarks. Psaki stated that on March 10, the administration believed the “vast majority of” refugees would prefer to stay in countries with family, friends or former employers.

According to U.S. State Department, it has stated that the United States will cooperate with United Nations in order to provide refugee assistance to America in case of Ukrainian refugees not being protected in Europe. However, the State Department also said that the United States would “bearing mind that resettlement in the United States takes time.”

Although refugee resettlement is a lengthy process, the Biden administration has accelerated the process for Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August. Three U.S. officials spoke out to Reuters that the experience can help speed up resettlement for other refugees.

Who IS WANTING MORE REFUGEE ADMISSIONS?

More than thirty Democratic lawmakers asked Biden, in a March 11, 2011 letter, to improve refugee admissions and to permit Ukrainians living in America to apply for “humanitarian parole” temporary entry.

Raul Ruiz is a doctor who specializes in emergency medicine. He was also chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The letter was written by Representative Raul Ruiz.

In a letter to Biden, he stated that “The crisis could overwhelm countries currently housing many of the Ukrainian refugees” and noted that the United States should lead the effort to help these countries to aid the war-torn countries.

Fox News interviewed Representative Victoria Spartz from Indiana who is a Republican and a Ukrainian immigrant. She said that Poland cannot provide the necessary humanitarian assistance.

Olena Zelenska (wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zilenskiy) spoke out to ABC News, urging women in America to help Ukrainian refugees and Ukrainian women.

Over two dozen Jewish-American groups also pressured Biden to allow more Ukrainian refugees to enter the country last week, stating that “our community is painfully too familiar with what happens when America closes its doors for refugees.”

COULD THE U.S. COULD THE U.S. ACCEPT MORE UKRAINIAN RESFUGEES

According to data from the U.S. State Department, March data are not yet available. However, the United States accepted only 514 Ukrainian refugees between January and February as part of Russia’s building-up to war.

After his Republican predecessor Donald Trump slashed admissions by a record low of 15,000, Biden established the annual refugee limit at 125,000. This was a devastating program that led to delays in processing and further damage from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden set aside 10,000 refugee slots from Europe and Central Asia for those who are seeking asylum.

What happens to UKRAINIANS ENTRYING THE UNITED STATES FROM MXICO?

Reuters reports that thousands have traveled to Mexico to seek refuge from the human rights crisis.

The U.S. border officers encountered approximately 1,300 Ukrainians at southwest borders in the five first months of fiscal 2018, which started last October. This compares to 680 during the entire fiscal year.

Most Ukrainians are allowed to enter the United States in order to file their immigration case, which is unlike other migrants who often have to be expelled from Mexico and other countries as part of Title 42.

However, there have been reports of some Ukrainians being denied entry at the southwest border.

WHAT IF THE U.S. IF THE USA IS NOT ACCEPTING MANY UKRAINIAN RESFUGEES, WHAT IS THE UNITED STATES DOING?

To assist European refugee countries, the U.S. Government is providing significant economic assistance.

Biden has signed Tuesday’s spending bill into law. It provides $13.6 million to Ukraine and European Allies. There are also approximately $4 billion for people fleeing.

The U.S. announced that they will provide Temporary Protected Status to 75,000 Ukrainians who are already living in the United States.

They will be eligible for deportation relief as well as work permits. These can be renewed after the 18-month period ends. However, it will not apply to those who arrived after March 1.