CNSI Leaders Call for U.S. Action to Support and Resettle Ukrainian Refugees

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jill Jackson
jjackson@monumentadvocacy.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  As millions of women and children are evacuating Ukraine, the United States should assist our European allies in welcoming the refugees fleeing the Russian invasion. These actions should include providing additional financial support and resources to the countries in central Europe currently resettling the majority of the refugees, as well as making use of expedited pathways to welcome Ukrainians who have close ties to the U.S. and who have gone through proper vetting procedures.

“The administration should take immediate steps to parole Ukrainian refugees who have certain close relatives, such as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling, who are U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status in the U.S.” said CNSI Leader and former Senior Advisor at the Department of Homeland Security Scott Boylan. “This could be done quickly and would kickstart a Ukrainian refugee program.” 

“While humanitarian parole status is the most efficient way to legally admit Ukrainian refugees in the short term, it is critical that lawmakers create a more agile resettlement system that can respond in similar crises,” said Margaret Stock, former professor at West Point and an immigration attorney based in Alaska. “As we’ve seen with Afghans seeking resettlement in the United States, the immigration parole process has left most refugees in limbo. The current system for granting parole has not worked well for most Afghan refugees and is likely to be similarly inadequate for many Ukrainians.”   

Just as the United States welcomed political dissidents and oppressed religious followers from the Soviet Union and other communist countries, the United States should remain steadfast in its commitment to support refugees, political dissidents and oppressed individuals seeking freedom from totalitarianism now.

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