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Ukraine: Information, Resources & Help

Ukrainians seeking refuge in the United States have been arriving in Rhode Island via Community Sponsors. We are working to around the clock to help and support our new neighbors.

Please contact our Ukrainian Response Coordinator if you are in need of assistance: mkrishchuk@diiri.org or 401-602-0871.

Humanitarian Parole

Ukrainian individuals or non-Ukrainian individuals who last habitually resided in Ukraine, and who have been granted humanitarian parole status may be eligible for federal benefits, such as cash assistance through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), health insurance through Medicaid, and food assistance through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These individuals may also be eligible for cash assistance, medical assistance, employment preparation, job placement, English language training, and other services offered through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Click below for more details.

More Information

Uniting for Ukraine | U.S. Sponsor Program

The United States government recently established the Uniting for Ukraine program allowing U.S.-based individuals and organizations to sponsor a Ukrainian individual or family in the United States. For more information and to apply to sponsor a Ukrainian, please see the USCIS site: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/uniting-for-ukraine. Once approved, Ukrainians, through the program will receive humanitarian parole for two years and will be eligible for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Note: Ukrainian parolees are not currently eligible for ORR services.

Update: Time Frame Extended for Uniting for Ukraine Parolees Completing Tuberculosis Attestation

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the time for beneficiaries paroled into the United States under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program to attest to their compliance with medical screenings for tuberculosis and required vaccinations. The U4U program allows U.S.-based sponsors to support Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members to enter the United States for two years under humanitarian parole. Under the new rules, beneficiaries must complete the medical attestation within 90 days of arrival in the United States. Beneficiaries previously only had 14 days to complete their medical screenings and attestations. The medical attestations also apply to a beneficiary’s minor children, even if the child is under the age of two and has qualified for an exemption for a tuberculosis test screening.

Important information

  • The sponsor must fill out a Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, through the online USCIS portal. The Form I-134 requires an individual to sign the form; organizations may not serve as the named supporter on a Form I-134. However, if an organization or other entity is providing financial or other services to the named individual for the purpose of facilitating support, this information should be provided as part of the evidence submitted with the Form I-134 and will be taken into account in determining the supporter’s ability to support the named beneficiary.
  • Individuals who can be sponsors include: U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents (including lawful temporary residents and conditional permanent residents), nonimmigrants in lawful status (i.e., maintain the nonimmigrant status and have not violated any of the terms or conditions of the nonimmigrant status), asylees, refugees, parolees, TPS holders, and beneficiaries of deferred action (including DACA) or Deferred Enforced Departure.
  • Beneficiaries are eligible for the process if they: Resided in Ukraine immediately prior to the Russian invasion (through Feb. 11, 2022) and were displaced as a result of the invasion; Are a Ukrainian citizen and possess a valid Ukrainian passport (or are a child included on a parent’s passport); If not a Ukrainian citizen, are an immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen beneficiary of Uniting for Ukraine with a valid passport; Have a supporter who filed a Form I-134 on their behalf that has been vetted and confirmed as sufficient by USCIS; and Clear biographic and biometric security checks; To be eligible for this process, children under the age of 18 must be traveling to the United States in the care and custody of their parent or legal guardian.
  • If you already filed a Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, for humanitarian parole on behalf of a Ukrainian who is outside the United States, you may either withdraw your pending Form I-131 or leave your Form I-131 pending with USCIS. If you choose to withdraw your pending Form I-131, you will receive a fee refund. If you choose to leave your Form I-131 pending, we will retain the fee, and adjudicate it in the future. If you wish to provide support to a Ukrainian beneficiary under the Uniting for Ukraine process, you must file a new Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, even if you already submitted a prior Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, with your pending Form I-131. On April 25, 2022, the Form I-134 was updated from the Affidavit of Support to the Declaration of Financial Support, which is being used for Uniting for Ukraine.
  • EADs: After the beneficiary is paroled into the United States, they are eligible to apply for discretionary employment authorization from USCIS. To apply for discretionary employment authorization, you must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, using the (c)(11) category code with the required fee or apply for a fee waiver.

Temporary Protected Status

As a reminder, Ukrainians are eligible to submit an initial registration application for TPS and apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). All Ukrainians who meet eligibility requirements and who entered the U.S. before April 11 of this year can apply. The designation of TPS for Ukraine lasts until October 19, 2023. Please follow the following link to apply: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-ukraine

You can find a breakdown of eligibility requirements, how to register for TPS and how to register for an EAD here: https://cliniclegal.org/resources/humanitarian-relief/temporary-protected-status-and-deferred-enforced-departure/april-19-0?ct=t(TIPS_042022)

Organizations Working Overseas Donation Guide

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Media Release: Dorcas Int'l Ready to Welcome Ukrainians

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Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island strives to create a welcoming environment for all, working to empower the most vulnerable among us for more than 100 years. We meet our clients where they are by providing integrated, wraparound programs and services helping those seeking to overcome educational, cultural, economic, and language barriers.