UNTIL LAST MONTH, LARYSA Atamas did not know where she and her 9-year-old son would go once their time in the U.S. was up in April. What she did know was that going back to the city they once called home-Kharkiv, Ukrainewas not an option.
It's been nearly 14 months since Russia first invaded Ukraine, sparking a refugee crisis and one of the largest mass migrations of the past century. Out of more than 8 million Ukrainians who have fled the country since the war broke out, over 270,000 came to the U.S. For roughly 20,000 of them who, like Atamas, entered the country under the federal government's humanitarian parole program, their time in America is ticking as the one-year limit on their stays nears.
"April is approaching, and we are panicking more and more," Atamas, whose parole expires April 16, told Newsweek, in an interview last month.
Of the three most common ways that Ukrainians fleeing the war came to the U.S., humanitarian parolees are in the most precarious position, with fewer rights and shorter deadlines on their time in America than those granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or who are beneficiaries under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program. Arriving after April 11-the cutoff for Ukrainians to get Temporary Protected Status-but before the Biden administration rolled out U4U on April 25, parolees were granted only one year to stay in the U.S. upon their arrival at the U.S.-Mexico border. On the other hand, U4U beneficiaries are allotted two years and TPS beneficiaries 18 months. In addition, the TPS designation also protects individuals from deportation in cases where there is active conflict or unrest in their home countries a security that parolees do not have.
While parolees do have access to refugee benefits like food stamps, Medicaid, cash assistance and the opportunity to apply for work authorization, parolees critically do not have refugee status, which would create a pathway for citizenship.
This story is from the April 14, 2023 edition of Newsweek Europe.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 14, 2023 edition of Newsweek Europe.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Red Cows, Gaza And The End Of The World
As the Israel-Hamas war rages on, the Third Temple movement is ramping up its bid to reclaim a contested holy site in Jerusalem currently home to ancient Islamic shrines
An Ecstatic Anniversary
Sarah McLachlan is touring this summer, 30 years after the release of 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy,' the album that made her a star
'WE ARE FACING THE MOST COMPLEX SECURITY ENVIRONMENT SINCE WORLD WAR II'
Japan's prime minister on security, diplomacy and protecting the rule of law at home, in Asia and around the world
JAPAN'S CALL TO ARMS
As the 'peace-loving nation' doubles its defense spending, Prime Minister FUMIO KISHIDA explains why it needs to take an assertive stance to counter China and North Korea
The Secret to Being an ADHD Whisperer
Loosening up and ceding control are some of the most important strategies for making life easier for a neurodiverse loved one
Fertility Clinics 2024
FOR THOSE LOOKING TO EXPAND THEIR FAMILIES, FERTILITY CLINICS CAN BE A VITAL OPTION
'I AM ALWAYS IN THE MOMENT'
India's prime minister on his goals, his critics and his 'god-gifted' ability to listen
MODI'S MOMENT
INDIA'S LEADER is SHAPING the COUNTRY in his OWN ASSERTIVE IMAGE
Resurgence of Global Mayhem
While the world watches Gaza, ISIS is gaining strength and momentum, building networks and preparing for strikes worldwide
Who Rules Gaza When The Fighting Stops?
With no clear leader coming to the fore, questions remain about how the devastated territory will be managed