President Biden's Administration is discussing ways to help Ukrainian Refugees join family members already living in the U.S. by providing Special Pathways for their Admission. The range of options including: a fast-track path for those fleeing the Russian Invasion, as well as a Special Admission process into the U.S. based on Humanitarian grounds. The proposals could potentially help hundreds of Ukrainians fleeing the violence.
Polish President Andrzej Duda personally asked Vice President Kamala Harris, last week, to speed up and simplify the procedures allowing Ukrainians with family in the U.S. to come to the Country. For Biden, welcoming Ukrainian Refugees into the U.S. would also help advance the notion of Western unity in the face of Russian aggression.
Even as they work to identify ways to help Ukrainians, White House Officials monitoring the Refugee situation said they believe the Crisis is still in its early stages, with the potential to dramatically expand in the coming weeks or months. There are fears among some that Poland, along with poorer Nations in the region, won't be able to accommodate a steady flow of Migrants that could persist for months.
That has added urgency to the discussions about U.S. assistance, as Biden's aides work to develop options that might alleviate the burden on Ukraine's neighbors. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said Thursday, that the Administration is working closely with the United Nations Refugee Agency to see how the U.S. can support Ukrainian Refugees and is assessing what the Administration can do to facilitate Family Reunification.
"We're looking at things that we can do ourselves and do directly. For example, looking at steps we may be able to take on family reunification and other things that we can do to be supportive and to really take part of this effort," Blinken said, adding that the Administration has also provided millions in Humanitarian Assistance. Still, it's unlikely that there will be an onslaught of Ukrainian Refugees to the U.S. in the same way that unfolded with Afghans last year, given that some are expected to stay in Europe because of ties there. But the need to assist Countries in the Region accepting those Refugees is growing.
During meetings in Warsaw, Duda warned Harris that his Country's Resources were being badly strained by the influx of Refugees, even as his Country welcomes them with open arms. Harris received a similar message the following day in Romania, where thousands of Refugees have fled. Harris made it clear in the meetings that the U.S. was poised to offer more Financial Assistance to those Countries to contend with the New Refugee flows. But White House Officials also believe there will be heightened International and Congressional pressure to welcome more Refugees in the U.S.
But there are currently Limited Options for those who are interested in Reuniting with Family in the U.S., sparking desperate pleas from Ukrainian Americans willing to take their Relatives in. The U.S. Refugee Resettlement process can take years. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman conceded that the process is Long and Arduous, adding: "We have always welcomed refugees, even if sometimes it takes a while to get here." Sherman said the Administration is assessing paths forward daily.
Since October, 2021, at least 690 Ukrainian Refugees have been admitted to the U.S. Ukrainian Refugees have previously benefited from the Lautenberg Amendment, enacted in 1989 to Protect those Fleeing Religious Persecution from the former Soviet Union. That Option remains Open but unlikely to meet the New, urgent demand. There are ways to shorten the process that are under discussion, like a Priority Designation that Bypasses a Referral from the United Nations Refugee Agency to provide Direct Access to the U.S. Refugee Admissions program.
There is also a Form of Parole that allows People fleeing urgent Humanitarian Crises entry to the U.S. Both of those methods have been used before in moments of Conflict, including after the Evacuation from Afghanistan. Refugee Advocates are, in the interim, preparing for the arrival of Ukrainians. "We know they have to be brought here," said Mark Hetfield, President of HIAS, a Refugee Resettlement Organization, adding that these cases might be easier to Resettle given that there are Relatives in the U.S. who can step in to help.
But Hetfield warned that Ukrainians should come to the U.S. with Legal Status or be provided a Pathway to that Status, to avoid a situation where they're in Legal limbo, as has happened with Afghans. People in the U.S. with Ukrainian Relatives have exhausted numerous Options to bring their Families to the Country but in some cases have come up short, given the Strict Visa Rules. To obtain Tourist Visas, Ukrainians must Apply, get Appointments at U.S. Consulates, and Prove that they're coming to the U.S. for a Short Period, a Requirement set in Law. That's kept some Ukrainians from being able to Travel to the U.S., given the uncertain circumstances in their Country.
While it's unclear what forms of help the Administration will ultimately provide for People seeking entry to the U.S., Officials are also tracking a potential uptick of Ukrainians and Russians who may journey to the U.S., including at the Southwest Border. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reminded Border Officials that some Ukrainians can be Exempt from a Trump-era Pandemic Emergency Rule, known as Title 42, that's allowed for the swift Expulsion of Migrants, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said. "There was guidance issued to Border Patrol agents that reminded them of the fact that individualized exceptions to the Title 42 authority held by the (CDC) is in place and can be applied to Ukrainians," he said.
Ukrainian and Russian families have already started to line up at a Checkpoint along the California-Mexico Border, according to Advocates and Attorneys on the ground. One Family turned away last week was eventually let in. Some bought Tourist Visas, to Mexico, bought used cars, then crossed into the U.S.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
No comments:
Post a Comment