Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The Biden administration will launch a program that allows Ukrainians fleeing Russia to temporarily enter the United States if they have American sponsors.

According to one official, the program of “humanitarian parole,” which will grant qualifying Ukrainians temporary residence in the United States for up two years, was announced on a conference call with journalists. This program does not allow for citizenship like the U.S. refugee settlement program.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stated that any citizen of the United States, as well as representatives of nonprofit and businesses, may apply to sponsor Ukrainians looking for refuge in America. However, they must demonstrate financial support and go through background checks.

U.S. sponsor can apply for the “Uniting for Ukraine”, program that begins Monday. However, another official indicated that it could take up to one week.

Under pressure from U.S. politicians and refugee advocates President Joe Biden declared the United States would take in up to 100,000 Ukrainians.

About 5 million people have fled Ukraine for neighboring countries since Russia invaded the country on Feb. 24, according to United Nations data https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine, making it Europe’s fastest-moving refugee crisis since the end of World War Two.

“We are proud to deliver on President Biden’s commitment,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.

A person from any country can apply to humanitarian parole. They must prove an urgent reason for entry to the United States or that they will benefit significantly the United States.

Reuters has reported that over 350 Ukrainians sought humanitarian parole for entry to the United States since April’s conflict.

One official said that the U.S. will need to sponsor the Ukrainians for the Monday program and would offer an expedited process to allow them to enter the country.

There are many other routes for Ukrainians, including humanitarian parole and the U.S. Refugee resettlement Program.

Biden Administration indicated that efforts to get up to 100,000 Ukrainians in the United States might go beyond current fiscal year, which ends on September 30, signaling that they may not be moving quickly.

The United States has welcomed thousands of Ukrainians to its borders, some with legal visas. However, 12 Ukrainians entered through the U.S. refugee programme in March.

DHS advised that Ukrainians located in Europe should apply directly from their home countries and not have to travel to Mexico to obtain entry into the United States.

U.S. south border officers encountered approximately 3300 Ukrainians in March. According to U.S. government records, most of these people approached ports without authorization to cross.

According to Reuters internal U.S. government statistics, the number of Ukrainians trying to cross into Mexico at its border has risen dramatically in April. An average of 1,000 people per day arrived between April 10-16.