RE-PAROLE FOR ELIGIBLE UKRAINIANS IN THE UNITED STATES
Introduction
US Re-parole for eligible Ukrainians, USCIS recently issued a reminder that starting February 27, 2024, people from Ukraine and their families who were forced to leave because of the Russian invasion and were let into the US after February 11, 2022, can ask to stay here for another two years.
People who qualify should fill out Form I-131, which is for getting a travel document, and pay the right fee online to avoid mistakes and save time that can happen when you do it on paper, which can cause hold-ups.
USCIS will consider these requests on a case-by-case basis, determining whether they are urgent or would be of great help to the public.
After getting the approval to stay again, Ukrainians can then go ahead and apply for a work permit with USCIS.
Understanding humanitarian Re-parole for eligible Ukrainians
Parole for humanitarian reasons is a special permission granted to some non-citizens facing a severe crisis or immediate humanitarian needs who would not normally qualify to enter the US.
This permission can also be sought for a single purpose, like getting medical care, seeing a sick relative, attending a relative’s funeral, or giving testimony in a US legal case.
Parole for humanitarian reasons allows an individual to temporarily reside in the US without the threat of being sent back. However, it is crucial to note that this parole does not grant the individual a permanent immigration status.
Since parole is not a permanent legal status, someone living in the US on parole will either need to renew their parole before it ends, choose a different legal status to apply for or return to their home country.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Secretary of homeland security used his discretionary power to allow certain Ukrainians to temporarily enter the US and seek work permission.
The exceptional conditions in Ukraine that justified the previous use of discretionary parole power still exist. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has continued, leading to significant civilian losses. USCIS will consider these ongoing exceptional conditions when reviewing applications for parole renewal.
Who is eligible for the Ukrainians’ re-parole?
To be considered for parole, individuals must demonstrate the following:
- You are a Ukrainian citizen or a close family member of a Ukrainian citizen who was paroled into the United States on or after February 11, 2022.
- There are ongoing urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefits that justify issuing a new period of parole, including the urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefits identified above, as well as any additional factors.
- You are deserving of a favorable exercise of discretion.
- You are physically present in the United States.
- You have met the conditions of your initial parole.
- You have passed biographic and biometric background checks.
Individuals can determine their initial parole date by checking their Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, issued by US Customs and Border Protection. It is important to note that applications for re-parole must be submitted before the end of the initial parole period. If circumstances permit, USCIS recommends applying for re-parole no later than 60 days before the end of the initial parole period.
What paperwork is involved? | Re-parole for eligible Ukrainians
- You can fill out Form I-131 either online or by sending it in the mail.
- You don’t have to send in Form I-134, which is about declaring financial support, or Form I-134A, which is for making a request to be a supporter and declaring financial support if you are not applying to be a supporter again.
- You need to show proof that you were first allowed to stay in the US and who you are, including your photo, name, and birthdate.
Other paperwork needed
- Form I-94;
- A copy of both sides of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS if you have one;
- A copy of both sides of your US government-issued driver’s license or ID, if you have one; or
- A copy of the identity (biographical) page of your passport and all the stamps showing when you were allowed to enter the US.
- If you are sending documents in a language other than English to USCIS, you need to have a certified translation from the original language to English.
Getting a work permit | Re-parole for eligible Ukrainians
Once USCIS gives the approval for re-parole, the person can then go ahead and file their own application for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filling out Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
People who try to get an EAD before their re-parole is approved might end up with their Form I-765 rejected, and USCIS won’t give back the application fees.
During the time their EAD application is being processed, parolees who have been granted re-parole might be able to use their new Form I-94 (issued after re-parole is approved) as proof of identity and employment authorization for up to 90 days from the day they start working (or for the purpose of verifying their employment eligibility when their initial EAD expires).
