It’s been over a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. The war continued and since it began, many Ukrainians sought refuge in San Diego where they received Humanitarian Parole visas.
President Joe Biden recently extended the stay for thousands of Ukranian refugees for another year to work as the war continues.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said:
“As Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the unprecedented humanitarian crisis it has caused continue, [the Department of Homeland Security] assesses that there remain urgent humanitarian reasons, as well as a significant public benefit, for extending the parole of certain Ukrainians and family members on a case-by-case basis.”
Volunteer Vlad Fedoryshyn said:
“A lot of people were thinking they’re not going to get this extension. People are now happy, but people were thinking maybe the U.S. was going to issue them green cards.”
“I know some of them, they have bought a house, there’s people who started their lives, already know a couple of people who set up a business in the United States so I would say their lives are settled here in America.”
Though many have settled in the United States, Fedoryshyn said about 20% have returned back to Ukraine or expressed the desire even as the war continues.
He believes more people from Ukraine will make their way to the United States.
Under the United for Ukraine Program, more than 118,000 Ukrainians arrived in the United States. Many initially arrived under Title 42, a COVID-era policy created under the last administration of President Trump. Title 42 is expected to end in May this year.
In February, President Biden visited Ukraine and spoke to Ukraine's President Zelenskyy.
He said:
As the world prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, I am in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm our unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
The President added:
I will announce another delivery of critical equipment, including artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems, and air surveillance radars to help protect the Ukrainian people from aerial bombardments. And I will share that later this week, we will announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade or backfill Russia’s war machine.
Though the United States has not sent military troops to the country, they are providing support with military equipment and financial aid.
Congress has sent more than $75 billion in assistance to the country.
How much longer do you think the Ukraine and Russia war will last?
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