Legal Updates

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. Read more

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. Read more

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. Read more

For Ukrainians who held TPS in the initial term but have not yet re-registered to extend their TPS status, USCIS provides a limited opportunity for individuals to re-register for TPS if they can show good cause for why they are filing after the October 20th deadline has passed. Read more

On September 27, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Alert regarding employment authorization for noncitizens. The Policy Alert provides updated validity periods for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and clarifies the agency's official position on employment incident to parole for certain Ukrainians. Read more

On September 20, 2023, USCIS announced a new procedure for minor children with U.S.-based parents or legal guardians to travel under Uniting for Ukraine (U4U). Learn more about eligibility, application procedures, and documents needed to prove legal guardianship. Read more

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. Read more

The Ukrainian Adjustment Act was introduced on June 7, 2023 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, it is awaiting further movement from the House Committee on the Judiciary. Read more

In general, "affirmative asylum" applications must be filed within one year of the applicant's most recent arrival in the United States. There are a few exceptions to the 1-year deadline, including maintaining humanitarian parole, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or another valid immigration status for a reasonable period before filing the asylum application. Read more

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. Read more