Ukrainian Immigrants in the United States

Ukrainian arrivals to the U.S.: what to know now

Since the war began, many Ukrainians have entered the U.S. through humanitarian parole, refugee processing, asylum, family visas, and other paths. However, your options depend on how you entered, your timeline, and your documents. We map a safe plan and keep you current as policies shift.

Common pathways we evaluate

Uniting for Ukraine / parole
If you arrived on or after 2022 with parole, we review work authorization, re-parole options if available, and longer-term strategies (for example, family petitions or asylum where appropriate).

Asylum (affirmative or defensive)
If you fear harm in Ukraine, you may request protection. For example, we prepare declarations, country reports, and corroborating evidence, and we track the one-year rule and exceptions.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
When TPS is designated/extended for Ukraine, eligible nationals can apply for protection and work authorization. Therefore, we confirm dates, re-registration windows, and EAD validity for your situation.

Family-based options
Spouses, parents, and certain children of U.S. citizens or residents may qualify through I-130 petitions. In addition, some people can adjust status in the U.S., while others use consular processing with waivers where needed.

Refugee processing (abroad)
If you or your family receive UNHCR/U.S. referral, we outline steps, interviews, and evidence.

Evidence checklist (bring to your consult)

• Passport/ID and entry documents (I-94, parole document, visa, notices)

• Proof of current address and U.S. presence (leases, bills, pay stubs)

• Any USCIS receipts/approvals and court papers

• Family relationship records (marriage/birth certificates)

• Country-conditions reports, police/medical documents (if relevant)

As a result, we can quickly confirm eligibility and deadlines.

FAQs

Do I renew work authorization through parole, TPS, or asylum?
It depends. Therefore, we check which category fits you now and which renewal path keeps you covered.

Can I travel?
Sometimes—with advance parole or after status changes. However, always confirm risks before leaving the U.S.

What if I moved states?
Update your address with USCIS (and immigration court if in proceedings). Otherwise, you could miss critical notices.

How we help

First, we review your entry category and deadlines. Next, we choose the strongest path (TPS, asylum, family, re-parole). Then, we prepare filings and evidence. Finally, we monitor updates and respond to agency requests.

Ready to plan your next step? Schedule a consultation or call (562) 495-0554.

Disclaimer: General information only; policies change. We confirm the current rule for your case at the time of filing.

More than 71,000 Ukrainians Arrived in the U.S. Since March — What It Means

In the months after Russia’s 2022 invasion, over 71,000 Ukrainians reached the United States following the March announcement that the U.S. would welcome up to 100,000 people fleeing the war. Ukrainian Congress Committee of America By late July 2022, cumulative admissions had already exceeded 100,000 across multiple pathways (temporary visas, humanitarian parole at ports, refugee channels).

Soon after, DHS launched Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), a sponsor-based humanitarian parole process. As the program matured, arrivals under U4U alone surpassed 187,000 by March 2024, with additional Ukrainians entering outside U4U through other legal avenues—illustrating how the initial “71,000 since March” figure captured only the early phase of a much larger response.

What status do arrivals have?

• Humanitarian Parole (U4U or port-of-entry parole): A time-limited permission to stay and work (after filing Form I-765). Many parolees later pursue asylum (generally within one year of arrival) or transition to family/employment options.
• Refugee/SIV/Visas: Some entered on immigrant or nonimmigrant visas, or through traditional refugee or Special Immigrant Visa processes. Aggregate arrivals outside U4U number in the hundreds of thousands over time.

Benefits and protections

Congress authorized certain benefits for Ukrainian parolees (e.g., resettlement assistance during defined periods), and many applicants may also qualify for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) if they meet designation dates and continuous presence rules. Check current USCIS/DHS guidance for eligibility windows, which can change.

If you’re helping family

1. Identify the correct pathway (U4U sponsorship, family petitions, asylum, TPS).
2. Prepare identity evidence, proof of risk, and U.S. sponsor documentation (for U4U).
3. File for work authorization and track expiration dates on parole/benefits.
4. Avoid irregular border travel; use official channels tied to your chosen pathway.

How we help
We assess eligibility across U4U, TPS, asylum, family, and employment routes; prepare filings (including I-134A sponsorship and I-765 work permits); and coordinate consular and port-of-entry strategies—so your family’s transition is lawful, organized, and as swift as policy allows.