Ukrainian Sponsorship

Situation

In February 2022, Russia launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine. As a result, more than 14 million Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes, with nearly 8 million fleeing the country in search of safety.

The conflict has continued to escalate, and Russian forces have targeted Ukrainians indiscriminately. This has caused thousands of civilian casualties and decimated key infrastructure. Many of the families who have escaped to neighboring countries have arrived with only the clothes on their backs. The Ukrainian economy has also plummeted, leaving these refugees with little or no financial security.

Shortly after the conflict began, President Biden committed to welcome at least 100,000 people fleeing Ukraine. In April 2022, the administration announced the Uniting for Ukraine program. Under this program, people who have fled the conflict in Ukraine are eligible for humanitarian parole, a temporary legal status that allows beneficiaries to stay in the U.S. for up to two years. Individuals applying to travel to the U.S. through this program must apply with a sponsor, which can be a group or individual in the U.S. who commits to supporting the beneficiary after they arrive in the country.

Sponsor

Groups wishing to sponsor through Uniting for Ukraine can choose to partner with CWS as a CWS Private Sponsor Group (PSG). As a CWS PSG, a group will be able to utilize the expertise of resettlement agency staff via remote technical assistance and support. CWS recruits, trains, and supports sponsor groups throughout the first six months of the sponsorship period so that they can help displaced Ukrainians achieve stability in the U.S.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) manages the application for private sponsorship, known as Form I-134A. (Instructions about completing this form can be found on the USCIS webpage.) In order to approve an application, USCIS requires evidence that a sponsor can financially support a Ukrainian newcomer for the duration of parole based on federal poverty guidelines. This evidence (via paystubs, tax returns, bank statements, or other records) can come from one individual, a group, or an organization. However, because of the employment and benefits eligibility for Ukrainian newcomers, it is not anticipated that sponsors will need to financially support a newcomer for the entire two-year period. Additionally, many Ukrainians come with financial resources that offset the support they need from sponsors.

Uniting for Ukraine beneficiaries can begin work immediately upon arrival using their I-94 document. This is a valid work authorization for 90 days, after which point an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is required. However, sponsors should still be prepared to cover living expenses such as rent and utilities for up to six months, particularly if the beneficiary does not have their own financial resources. Sponsors will be advised to help beneficiaries apply for eligible public benefits soon after arrival.

Unlike those with refugee status, Ukrainian parolees do not receive government resettlement funds or funded airfare. Travel costs will need to be covered either by the sponsor or the beneficiary.

After completing CWS onboarding, PSGs will be ready to be matched with Ukrainian beneficiaries on the Welcome Connect platform. Welcome Connect is a matching platform supported by Welcome.US, an organization committed to empowering Americans to welcome and support people seeking refuge in the United States. The Welcome Connect platform hosts sponsor profiles that beneficiaries can search and select from based on their resettlement preferences. Through a CWS partnership with Welcome.US, each Private Sponsor Group will create a Welcome Connect profile with a badge that will indicate the group is supported by CWS, providing additional reassurance to beneficiaries.

U4U PSGs commit to providing resettlement tasks to support Ukrainian newcomers. CWS staff will be working with PSGs remotely, while PSGs provide on-the-ground services for newcomers, including:

Securing housing and completing a home safety check
Furnishing housing
Meeting beneficiaries at the airport with appropriate interpretation
Providing a ready-to-eat meal upon arrival
Conducting a home orientation
Providing pocket money (as needed)
Providing seasonally appropriate clothing (as needed)
Supplying groceries until benefits and/or employment are secured
Facilitating cultural orientation
Assisting beneficiaries with the following (as applicable):
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Social Security card application
- Public benefits application
- Selective Service application
- School enrollment
- Change of address forms
- Medical appointments
- English Language Learner (ELL) enrollment
- Employment services enrollment
- Transportation

A comprehensive guide for completing these services, plus weekly technical assistance, will be provided by CWS staff.

The timeline of support from sponsors will vary based on individual beneficiary needs, community resources, processing time for government forms, and other factors. Generally, a PSG should expect to financially support a beneficiary until after the beneficiary is able to begin working.

However, even after reaching financial stability, many newcomers still need social integration support for up to a year or more. Sponsors should be prepared to assist with more complicated aspects of life in the US, such as navigating the healthcare system or renewing public benefits, as needed for this longer duration. CWS staff work with PSGs to create a self-sufficiency plan that can guide service delivery even after hands-on staff support ends.

I am interested in sponsoring Ukrainians

For more information, email U4U@cwsglobal.org.

Resources

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