U.S. officials processed nearly 10,000 undocumented Ukrainians at the border in the two months following Russia’s 2022 invasion. Many sought refuge by traveling to Mexico, highlighting the need for efficient pathways.
In response, the U.S. launched Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), a program providing temporary status via humanitarian parole. This streamlined process allows Ukrainians with U.S. sponsors to enter legally, contrasting with the backlog for other asylum seekers and demonstrating a flexible response to a crisis.
— What it means
Internal Department of Homeland Security data obtained by CBS News showed that between February 1 and April 6, 2022, U.S. border officials processed 9,926 Ukrainians who lacked the immigration documentation needed to enter the country.
Most of those contacts were at official ports of entry, not between ports, and processing at the border does not guarantee admission — it begins screening and adjudication. On April 6 alone, CBP recorded 767 Ukrainians processed that day.
Who this affects
- Ukrainian nationals who fled after the invasion and sought entry via Mexico or other transit routes.
- Families, sponsors, service providers, and legal aid organizations assisting arrivals.
Immediate steps
- Collect identifying info (name, DOB, passport or ID, last known embarkation point).
- Contact the CBP port/sector listed in relevant press releases and submit formal counsel inquiries where appropriate.
- Preserve travel evidence and any communications that may support asylum or parole requests.
- Don’t assume admission — have counsel review the encounter record and next legal steps.
How we help
We prepare CBP/consular inquiry letters, run urgent intakes to determine custody or processing status, assemble asylum/parole intake packets, and coordinate with humanitarian partners and consulates for family-reunification and medical support.
