The Law Office Of Maria K. Davari
Uniting for Ukraine
Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) parole program provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily for a two-year period of parole.
For the purpose of this process the Ukrainian citizen or immediate family member is the Beneficiary. The supporter in the United States who agrees to provide financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States is the Supporter or Sponsor. Below are key points of the program:
Qualifying Beneficiary
Beneficiaries are eligible for the U4U process if they:
- Resided in Ukraine immediately before 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);
- An immediate family member of a Ukrainian citizen beneficiary of Uniting for Ukraine, with a valid passport if they are not a Ukrainian citizen.
Qualifying Supporter
An individual can be a sponsor if:
- They have legal status in the USA (green card, citizenship etc.)
- willing and able to receive, maintain, and support the beneficiary; for example:
- arrange flights and transport from the airport
- assure safe housing, etc.
The supporter does not need to have a relationship with the beneficiary.
USCIS will run security and background vetting and review if the supporter has sufficient financial resources to receive, maintain, and support the individual whom they commit to sponsor for the duration of their stay in the United States.
There are no specific guidelines for the supporter’s income. We are recommending that the supporter has income equal or above 100% of federal poverty guidelines (look here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p)
Please check your online account for updates. When the application is approved the supporter will receive a notification, and the beneficiary will receive an email with information on how to complete the necessary next steps, including:
- creating an account with USCIS;
- confirm their biographic information;
- attest to completing all eligibility requirements;
- confirm prior vaccination against measles, polio, and COVID-19.
(Individuals not previously vaccinated, will need to receive a first dose of required vaccines prior to obtaining travel authorization to come to the United States)
How to Be a Supporter
The sponsor files form I-134A online. You must file a separate Form I-134A for each beneficiary. You can find form I-134 here. You can use the form to review the information needed before you file online and create a draft for your reference.
Steps
- Create a USCIS account (here).
- Login to your USCIS account and file form I-134A.
Documents that you will need:
- To establish identity: passport – biographic page copy;
- To establish legal status in the USA: if you are not a USA citizen, a copy of your green card, or your visa and I-94;
- To establish financial ability: Latest Tax return, or W2, or 1099; if you include assets (for example your home), documents that show ownership; if you include bank accounts, statements.
Examples of the types of support for beneficiaries that supporters should keep in mind when considering their ability to meet this commitment include:
- Receiving the beneficiary upon arrival in the United States and transporting them to initial housing;
- Ensuring that the beneficiary has safe and appropriate housing for the duration of their parole and initial basic necessities;
- As appropriate, helping the beneficiary complete necessary paperwork such as for employment authorization, for a Social Security card, and for services for which they may be eligible;
- Ensuring that the beneficiary’s health care and medical needs are met for the duration of the parole; and
- As appropriate, assisting the beneficiary with accessing education, learning English, securing employment and enrolling children in school.
What Happens Next
The beneficiary will receive a notice to their myUSCIS account confirming whether they are authorized to travel. The authorization is valid for 90 days. Please check CDC requirements for international travelers arriving in the U.S. (here), including pre-departure testing for COVID-19.
Upon landing in the U.S. the beneficiary will be inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and considered for parole for a period of up to two years, and may have conditions placed on their parole.
After receiving parole, the beneficiary will need to complete a medical screening for tuberculosis, including an IGRA test, within 90 days of arrival.
Consultation
The Law Office Of Maria K. Davari
Our office immediately responded to the call for aiding Ukrainian families. We have helped a number of families bring their loved ones to safety and reunite.
We are offering some of our assistance without fees, pro-bono, to support Ukrainians in need and their families. If you would like our office to represent you, for example by filing the application for you, call us to discuss our fee and terms of representation.
You can find more information here:
Welcome USA (general info)
https://ukraine.welcome.us/explainer
U4U USCIS – Humanitarian parole for Ukrainians – Uniting for Ukraine sponsorship program explained
In English https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/uniting-for-ukraine
In Ukrainian https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/ednannya-zaradi-ukraini
Declaration of Financial Support – Form I-134A
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