Legal Library
In this section we gathered informational articles written by immigration attorneys on the most relevant and applicable topics. Each article is or shortly will be available in English, Russian and Ukrainian.
We are actively following the development of relevant laws and policies that may affect those seeking immigration status in the US as a result of the war in Ukraine, and we strive to update the information on our website to reflect these developments as quickly as possible. The date of the latest update appears at the bottom of each page.
The information contained in this Website and this Legal Library is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. Please see our Disclaimer for more.
- Travel Abroad for Ukrainians Currently in the United States
- Uniting for Ukraine
- Sponsorship Matching for Uniting for Ukraine
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Options For Ukrainians With Expiring Parole
- Issues at US-Mexico Border
- Humanitarian Parole
- B2 "Tourist" Visa 101
- Entry on B2 or on Humanitarian Parole: A Comparison
- Asylum
- Refugee Process
- Family Based Immigration and Approximate Wait Times
- Employment-Based Immigrant Visas & Green Cards
- Nonimmigrant Employment-Based Visas
- Lautenberg Program
- F-1 Student Visa & J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Travel Abroad for Ukrainians Currently in the United States
U.S. immigration law makes it extremely difficult for non-citizens to travel back and forth from the United States if they do not have lawful permanent resident status or a multi-entry visa.
Uniting for Ukraine
The program is intended to provide a “streamlined” process so that Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States can come to the United States and stay temporarily in a two-year period of humanitarian parole.
Sponsorship Matching for Uniting for Ukraine
On June 22, Welcome.us launched the first stage of Welcome Connect, an online portal to match Americans who want to sponsor Ukrainians and Ukrainians in search of sponsors under the Uniting For Ukraine Program.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
The Secretary of Homeland Security designates a foreign country for TPS when conditions in the country temporarily prevent country nationals from returning safely or in certain circumstances or where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.
Options For Ukrainians With Expiring Parole
Humanitarian parole of Ukrainians admitted at the Mexican border expires in early 2023.
Issues at US-Mexico Border
Many Ukrainians and Russians are considering traveling to Mexico to attempt to enter the United States at the southern border. There are many risks and dangers associated with this approach.
Humanitarian Parole
Parole is when the U.S. government allows a person who otherwise wouldn’t be eligible to enter the United States permission to be in the United States for a temporary period of time for “urgent humanitarian reasons” or “significant public benefit.” Humanitarian parole is not a visa, but it is temporary permission to enter the country pursuant to certain rules.
B2 “Tourist” Visa 101
B-2 visas are colloquially known as “tourist” visas, though they are intended for people coming to the U.S. not only as tourists, but also to visit family and friends, engage in a short course of study, get medical care, participate as an amateur in an entertainment or athletic event or for other similar temporary purposes.
Entry on B2 or on Humanitarian Parole: A Comparison
This is general information for Ukrainians who have entered the U.S. because of the Russian invasion. It is meant to inform what “humanitarian parole” means and what “B2 status” means.
Asylum
In layperson’s terms, a refugee is anyone who fled their country because of war or disaster, but when discussing immigration options for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, it is important to understand the distinction between a layperson’s terms and a legal definition, as well as between the asylum process and the refugee process.
Refugee Process
In everyday language, the word “refugee” simply means someone who had to flee their home because of war or another disaster. However, the legal term “refugee” means a person who meets the definition of a refugee under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of the United States, and who has been designated a refugee while still living abroad and selected for resettlement in the United States.
Family Based Immigration and Approximate Wait Times
Immigrant visas are for people who are on the path to legal permanent residency. Immigrant visas may be family-based or employment-based; this article is only about family-based visas.
Employment-Based Immigrant Visas & Green Cards
An offer of employment from a United States employer can be grounds for obtaining an immigrant visa and Lawful Permanent Resident status (green card). In some relatively rare cases, a person can petition on their own, without a US employer.
Nonimmigrant Employment-Based Visas
The United States has several types of nonimmigrant visas that allow foreign workers to enter the US on a temporary basis to work for a US employer, or in some cases to run their own business in the US.
Lautenberg Program
A resettlement program for certain religious minorities from countries in the former Soviet Union who already have close relatives in the United States.