1. EXTEND HUMANITARIAN PAROLE AND EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Regulatory Action:
Ask DHS/USCIS/CBP to create a streamlined and efficient process for Ukrainian humanitarian parolees to request re-parole and obtain an automatic extension of employment authorization, as well as current benefit eligibility, upon submitting a request for re-parole.
2. RENEW TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS (TPS) FOR UKRAINE
Regulatory Action:
Ask the Secretary of Homeland Security to redesignate Ukraine for TPS to allow currently ineligible Ukrainians to apply for protection. Over 10,000 Ukrainians are not currently eligible for TPS, and even those who are eligible for the current term are only protected through October 19, 2023.
3. GRANT ADVANCE PAROLE TRAVEL AUTOMATICALLY WITH RE-PAROLE
Regulatory Action:
Ask USCIS to grant automatic advance parole travel authorization to Ukrainians who are granted re-parole. Parolees must pay $575 per family member and wait 8-10 months for approval to travel abroad for an emergency. If they leave the U.S. without advance parole, they will terminate their humanitarian parole and may not be allowed re-entry.
4. GRANT B-2 VISA HOLDERS AN EMPLOYMENT HARDSHIP EXEMPTION
Regulatory Action:
Ask DHS/USCIS to publish a “Severe Economic Hardship” exemption that allows B-2 visa holders to work while on TPS without violating their visa status. Many Ukrainians arrived on B-2 visas before Uniting for Ukraine was implemented and have been sheltering in the U.S., unable to return to Ukraine. They should be allowed to work in order to support their families.
5. ALLOW HUMANITARIAN PAROLEES TO APPLY FOR EMPLOYMENT VISAS
Regulatory Action:
Ask USCIS to publish guidance allowing Ukrainian humanitarian parolees to apply directly for nonimmigrant work visas and employment-based immigrant visas without consular processing abroad. Many U.S. employers lack skilled workers and would like to sponsor Ukrainians for work visas.