After the outbreak of war, many Ukrainian refugees tried to get to the USA via the Mexican border. That should be the end of it.
(Photo: Getty Images)
new York The United States wants to take in 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. US President Joe Biden generously declared this at the beginning of March. But then nothing happened for a long time. Just last week, the conditions under which Ukrainians are allowed to enter the country as part of the “Uniting for Ukraine” program were clearly defined: Only those who can show a sponsor who guarantees financial security are allowed to enter the country. This means that the requirements are significantly stricter than in the EU, for example.
Immigration attorney Nicolette Glazer explains: “The program is intended for those people who can count on a community and support here in the United States.” In fact, only those people who have relatives, friends or business associates who are willing for to vouch for them.
When it comes to arms deliveries, military information and billions in aid on the ground, the US is dwarfing all other countries in the Ukraine war. Biden wants Congress to approve a total of $33 billion for Ukraine by the end of September – seven billion less than the average annual cost of the Afghan war.
But when it comes to taking in Ukrainian refugees, the situation is a little different. Given the 5.5 million Ukrainians who have fled the country, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, 100,000 people is not a large number. In addition, the refugees are only allowed to stay in the USA for two years.
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Immediately after the war broke out, many Ukrainian refugees tried to get to the USA via the Mexican border. Around 20,000 people have succeeded. But Ukrainians should no longer get special permits at the border, so this route is now out of the question.
Sponsors have to vouch for the refugees financially
Instead, they should use the new program “Uniting for Ukraine”. You can apply for this online in Ukraine or in another country. Refugees should now be able to come directly into the country. Since the measure only started recently, there are no figures available as to how many applications or approvals there are at the moment.
Biden explained: “The new program should enable Ukrainians in search of refuge to come directly from Europe to the United States.” The program will be quick and easy to understand, the US President promised. And it will ensure that the United States keeps its promise to come to the Ukrainians so that they no longer have to cross the Mexican border.
The demand for a sponsor in particular has already caused ridicule on the Internet. For example, Charli Carpenter, a professor at the University of Massachusetts, writes: “It is not enough that I am willing to welcome, take in and help a refugee. The only way I can do these things is to cover their medical needs while I pay for my kids’ college. Wow, this will encourage Americans to join #Unitingfor Ukraine.”
Attorney Glazer has received inquiries from Americans who would like to become sponsors without knowing anyone from Ukraine personally. “However, when I explained to them that they had to guarantee the refugees financially, they swallowed quite a bit,” she reports.
Glazer has not yet received a response to the requests made by its clients. But she thinks it will be quick. She praises that the refugees in the USA can work immediately. They can also bring their family with them, even if they are not Ukrainian citizens. “That’s very important, especially for Ukrainian-Russian families,” she explains.
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The lawyer believes that it is ultimately better for the refugees – but also for the sponsors – if they know each other: “The risk is then lower for the sponsors that they will have to pay afterwards. And Ukrainians are less likely to fall into the hands of scammers or human traffickers,” says Glazer.
But in order to know someone well, you first have to have good contacts in the USA. And that doesn’t apply to all refugees.
More: You can read all developments in the Ukraine war in the Newsblog