Biden administration expected to detail how Ukrainian refugees can enter US for humanitarian reasons, source says
The humanitarian parole program, reportedly under the Department of Homeland Security and could be announced as early as Thursday, would require Ukrainians seeking to enter the United States to be sponsored by a US citizen or individual, which would include resettlement organizations and nonprofits, the source said. Applicants from Ukraine would have to undergo rigorous security checks and checks, including biographical and biometric screening, and full vaccinations and other public health requirements, including receipt of the Covid-19 vaccine, to be eligible, a indicated the source. Sponsors should pass their own security checks and declare financial support.
The Biden administration could begin accepting applications for the program before the end of April, the source said.
In addition to the humanitarian parole program, the State Department is working to expand its operations of the Refugee Admissions Program in Europe, the source said, with the goal of providing eligible individuals with greater access to the Lautenberg program. , an initiative to help those fleeing religious persecution from the Soviet Union, as well as strengthening referral mechanisms for Ukrainians seeking permanent resettlement.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Wednesday that the administration was working to finalize details of how it would welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees to the United States. A White House spokesperson declined to comment on the new details, but said additional details on the administration’s efforts would be announced “soon.” DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
More than 5 million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in late February, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees announced on Wednesday.
cnn
