LEGAL RESOURCES ON U.S. IMMIGRATION TOPICS FOR UKRAINIANS FLEEING THE WAR.

Following new laws passed by the Ukrainian government, male U.S. citizens ages 18-60 with Ukrainian nationality may be subject to military registration requirements and restricted travel out of Ukraine. In addition, Ukrainian males in the U.S. can no longer receive Ukrainian passport renewals or other consular services without Ukrainian military documents. Learn more about U.S. and Ukrainian citizenship laws, rights and obligations of dual citizens, and travel advisories for U.S. citizens in Ukraine.

The Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act has been signed into law. In addition to sending critical aid to Ukraine, this legislation also provides humanitarian assistance, including renewed funding for Ukrainian refugees in the United States. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has been authorized to resume providing resettlement assistance to Ukrainians paroled between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024. Learn more about these resettlement benefits in our article here.

On February 27, 2024, USCIS announced that certain Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who were paroled into the United States can now apply to USCIS for re-parole. Learn more about who is eligible, when to apply, what documents are required, procedures for adults and minors, how to renew employment authorization, and other important details.

Many Ukrainians who arrived in the U.S. since Feb. 2022 qualify for both TPS and humanitarian parole/re-parole. Although individuals can hold both of these statuses at the same time, there are some key differences. Learn more about the the eligibility criteria, application procedures, periods of protection, access to benefits, advantages and disadvantages of TPS vs. humanitarian parole for Ukrainians in our article here.

Today, DHS announced a redesignation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), as well as an extension of TPS for Ukraine for 18 months from October 20, 2023 through April 19, 2025. Ukrainians who arrived in the U.S. on or before August 16, 2023, may be eligible to apply for the new TPS period. Ukrainians who already hold TPS may register to extend their status.

Attention! All male parolees who are between 18 and 25 years old (with a few exceptions) are required by U.S. law to register with the U.S. Selective Service System. Failure to fulfill this requirement may result in losing future access to immigration opportunities and benefits.

Ukrainians who are in the United States on humanitarian parole and/or TPS and wish to travel outside of the U.S. must first apply to USCIS for a travel document. Although the process is the same for most Ukrainians applying for an advance travel document, the type of travel document issued and how long it’s valid depends on the applicant’s status. There could be some advantages to traveling with certain types of documents.

All people who are living in the United States have certain rights that are given to them by the U.S. Constitution. This includes citizens, lawful permanent residents, those who are here on a visa, humanitarian parolees, other immigrants, and those who are undocumented. The term “undocumented” refers to a person residing in the United States without legal documentation. This can be people who entered the U.S. without inspection and proper permission from the government, as well as those who entered with a visa or a legal status that is no longer valid. If you or someone you know are approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), know your rights at work, at home, or in public places.

Many Ukrainians who entered the United States through the Uniting for Ukraine program are wondering how they might be able to remain in the United States after their humanitarian parole expires. Here are some potential options that could allow certain Ukrainians on humanitarian parole to remain in the United States after their Uniting for Ukraine stay ends.