Many resources are available if you are a Michigan resident looking to help Ukrainian refugees newly arrived. Here is a list of some ways you can help. Also, find out what limits apply to your help. Also, read about the services offered by the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.
How can you help newly arrived Ukrainian refugees?
President Biden has announced that the United States will take in 100,000 newly arrived Ukrainian refugees. The conflict in Ukraine has forced more than six million people to flee their homeland, and eight million are internally displaced. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service stands in solidarity with our Ukrainian neighbors and is committed to helping newly arrived Ukrainians find safety and security in the United States.
There are many ways that you can help newly arrived Ukrainian refugees. The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) offers an online hub that allows newly arrived Ukrainian families to access resources and settle. The agency also provides emergency medical care, temporary housing, financial assistance, and necessities to newly arrived families. You can help support these families by donating to LIRS’s online hub. These donations will allow LIRS to support freshly arrived Ukrainian families and place vulnerable children in safe homes.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is an equal opportunity employer. The agency will give priority to qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics. Many volunteer opportunities exist for individuals, families, and organizations to serve newly arrived Ukrainians. If you have a passion for helping others, consider volunteering with LIRS.
Helping newly arrived Ukrainian refugees is an excellent way to make a difference in their lives. If you are a church or organization, consider donating or volunteering your time to help those in need. You can make a massive impact on the lives of newcomers by helping them settle in their new communities. Several non-profit organizations help these refugees.
Limits on assistance for newly arrived Ukrainians
The U.S. government is attempting to reduce the number of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. It has also increased funding for resettlement agencies. However, it is still being determined if Ukrainian refugees can expect an expedited process. While the State Department has not confirmed that they can, a spokesperson addressed the issue during a news briefing on Monday. Human rights advocates have been calling for the government to speed up the process for current applicants.
The United States has designated Ukraine as a country of humanitarian concern and provided temporary protected status and humanitarian parole to some Ukrainians who have crossed the border. These statuses offer immediate protection from deportation and up to two years of legal residency. However, this status comes with few government benefits. However, the May 2022 Ukraine Supplemental Act has made Ukrainians eligible for some help from the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
While many Ukrainians are eligible for refugee status, the process typically takes two years and may be challenging. Fortunately, humanitarian parole is an alternative option that lets refugees in for a limited time and also applies to a work permit. The Bipartisan Policy Center recommends that the Biden administration prioritize employment visas for new Ukrainian immigrants over refugee status.
This program, called Uniting for Ukraine, allows Ukrainians to enter the U.S. with humanitarian parole status, which has pros and cons. For example, it does not grant the same benefits as the traditional refugee admissions process, such as health care and housing assistance. But it does allow Ukrainians to join their families here, which is a critical aspect of the resettlement process.