Legal Updates

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. Read more

Ukrainians who have specifically defined closely-related family members in the United States may be eligible to apply for an Adjustment of Status through family-based immigrant visas. There are two types of family based pathways to permanent residence: U.S. Citizen Immediate Relative visas and U.S. Citizen/LPR Family Preference visas. Read more

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that certain Ukrainian nationals and immediate family members who were paroled into the United States last year for urgent humanitarian reasons will be allowed to extend their parole. Those who have their period of parole extended will also be eligible to receive employment authorization for the additional year. Read more

There are certain health testing and vaccination requirements for Ukrainians who wish to be beneficiaries through the Uniting for Ukraine program. Some of these requirements must be completed before the beneficiary is approved to travel, while other requirements must be completed after the beneficiary is paroled into the United States. Read more

Many Ukrainians ask about the consequences on accepting public benefits if they later wish to apply for a green card (lawful permanent residence). Ukrainian humanitarian parolees MAY accept those federal benefits for which they have been approved by law through an act of Congress while they are present on valid humanitarian parole. Read more

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and proper permission from the government, as well as those who entered with a visa or a legal status that is no longer valid.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. Read more

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration protection that is provided to nationals of certain countries who cannot return to their home countries due to an ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other dangerous conditions defined by the U.S. State Department. Individuals who are granted TPS are protected from being removed from the United States.... Read more

Minor children (children under 18 years old) are only allowed to enter the United States when accompanied by an adult who can verify their legal custody of the child. Thus, children who are traveling to the U.S. under Uniting for Ukraine must be accompanied by at least one parent or legal guardian, and the adult must have proof of legal custody over the child. Read more

Most Ukrainians who came through the U.S.-Mexico border in March and April 2022 were given a “DT” admission class code on their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record and were granted humanitarian parole for one year. Unless they entered the U.S. on or before April 11, 2022, they are not eligible to apply for the current TPS term. For Ukrainians who are eligible for TPS but have not yet applied for or been granted TPS protection, their parole will expire when their I-94 authorized stay expires. Read more

There has been an increase in scams and predatory behavior targeting individuals from Ukraine and other countries who may be considered for parole under the Uniting for Ukraine.  USCIS is asking potential sponsors and beneficiaries to be cautious of scams and rumors. Read more