Since March 11, there have been more than 20,000 Ukrainians processed at the U.S.-Mexico southern border, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, per CNN.
President Joe Biden and Homeland Security announced on April 21 a program called Uniting for Ukraine, "a new streamlined process to provide Ukrainian citizens who have fled Russia's unprovoked war of aggression opportunities to come to the United States."
As part of the new program, Biden has committed to welcoming up to 100,000 Ukrainian citizens that are trying to leave the country amid the Russian invasion.
"We are proud to deliver on President Biden’s commitment to welcome 100,000 Ukrainians and others fleeing Russian aggression to the United States. The Ukrainian people continue to suffer immense tragedy and loss as a result of Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on their country," Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said.
"DHS will continue to provide relief to the Ukrainian people, while supporting our European allies who have shouldered so much as the result of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine."
Additionally, there will be "broadened access to visa processing" in order to help Ukrainians that have fled their country in recent weeks.
In order to be eligible for the Uniting for Ukraine program, "Ukrainians must have been residents in Ukraine as of February 11, 2022, have a sponsor in the United States, complete vaccinations and other public health requirements, and pass rigorous biometric and biographic screening and vetting security checks," according to the Department of Homeland Security news release.
U.S. citizens who are interested in becoming a sponsor for Ukrainians looking to come to the country can apply on the Department of Homeland Security website as of April 25. U.S. sponsors also must fulfil eligibly requirements and public health requirements.
Homeland Security said in the news release that Ukrainians should not try to enter the United States through the southern border, and following the launch of the program, they will be denied entry if they don't have a valid visa or pre-authorization.
Biden reiterated that request on Thursday in a speech at the White House, saying that Ukrainians should use the program to obtain a visa instead of coming through the southern border.
"We have made a direct means by which they can get from Europe, from Ukraine directly to the United States, without going to the southern border," Biden said, according to CNN.
Biden went on to explain that Ukrainians who have signed up for the program or have an eligible visa can just fly to the United States instead of crossing the southern border.
"In the meantime, at the southern border, we're trying to work through and make sure there's an orderly process and they're able to get in," Biden said. "But just so you know, we have said there's no need to go to the southern border. Fly directly to the United States, we set up a mechanism whereby they can come directly with a visa."
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