HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - As over 2 million Ukrainians find refuge across Europe, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy is calling on the Biden Administration to increase the nation's ability of housing families fleeing from the Russian invasion.
Murphy is urging President Biden to implement measures that would help more Ukrainian refugees come into the United States, such as raising the nation's European refugee cap or creating a specific category for Ukrainian refugees like permanent or temporary humanitarian parole.
He also noted that the recently passed budget heading to Biden's desk includes $13.6 billion of emergency aid for Ukraine.
Of those emergency funds, there's "$1.4 billion for the migration and refugee assistance account at the state department and then another $2.6 billion for the international disaster assistance account. That money can be used to begin to create a [refugee resettlement] pipeline," Murphy said.
The $13.6 billion, Murphy explained, are divided to support military efforts, such as supplying more weapons to Ukraine or increasing force posture in NATO countries, and to support humanitarian efforts, such as providing more resources to Ukraine like food.
Murphy stressed the fact that states like Connecticut have a solid system in place to help refugees from Ukraine.
"We have one of the biggest, most vibrant Ukrainian-American populations and communities in the entire country. We have the capacity here in Connecticut to welcome refugees that are fleeing the violence in Ukraine," Murphy said.
He also noted that many that are leaving Ukraine don't want to leave their home country permanently, but they can have a temporary home in Connecticut or in other states where their family can be safe.