Thousands of Ukrainian refugees in Kentucky are facing a crisis as their legal status is set to expire in April. These refugees, who were admitted to the US under the Uniting for Ukraine private refugee sponsorship program, were granted temporary residency and work permits for two years after arrival.
The program, initiated in April 2022, allowed over 117,000 Ukrainians to enter the US, fleeing the Russian invasion. However, with the earliest participants’ rights expiring in April or May 2025, many more will lose their legal status thereafter.
Unless Congress or President Biden take action, these refugees will be left in legal limbo, vulnerable to deportation, and unable to work legally. This situation not only harms the refugees but also curtails their potential contributions to the US economy and society.
To address this issue, advocates are calling for a Ukrainian Adjustment Act, which would grant Ukrainian migrants who entered the US during the war permanent residency and work status. This legislation would provide a secure status, no longer subject to the whims of executive discretion.
In a recent development, Congress restored access to benefits for thousands of Ukrainians through a $95 billion supplemental package signed by President Biden in April 2024. This package made Ukrainian humanitarian parolees who arrived in the US since September 30, 2023, eligible for resettlement assistance and other benefits.² However, the long-term solution lies in the passage of the Ukrainian Adjustment Act.
Be the first to comment