[Washington, 16th Archyde.com]-Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th, more than 3 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, according to UN data. However, the number of Ukrainian refugees accepted by the United States so far is only a few hundred, and some have questioned the policy.
◎ Reasons why the number of Ukrainian refugees accepted is limited
President Biden and senior government officials have stated that the United States is ready to accept refugees as needed. However, he has repeatedly expressed the idea that Ukrainians should aim mainly in Europe.
“If Ukrainian refugees really come all the way here, we sincerely welcome them,” Biden said yesterday.
Vice President Harris, Secretary of State Blinken, and spokesman for President Saki have made similar statements. Saki said yesterday that the US government’s perception that the “majority” of refugees would want to stay in neighboring countries with family, friends and former employers.
The State Department has stated that it will work with the United Nations to move refugees to the United States if there is a shortage of Ukrainian refugees in Europe. At that time, he said, “Resettlement in the United States is not an easy procedure.”
Refugee resettlement can take several years. However, the Biden administration has accelerated the resettlement procedure for Afghan refugees after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August last year. Three U.S. officials told Archyde.com that their experience at the time could help speed up resettlement procedures for other refugees.
◎ Who insists on expanding refugee acceptance
A group of more than 30 Democrats sent a letter to President Biden on the 11th to accept refugee approval and Ukrainians with families in the United States through a timed mechanism called “humanitarian entry permit”. I asked for speed.
Raul Ruiz, chairman of the Hispanic Party of Parliament, who wrote the letter, visited the Polish-Ukraine border earlier this month as a member of a delegation of both Democratic and Republican parties. In his letter, Mr. Lewis said in countries that are accepting many Ukrainian refugees, their capacity may now reach their limits, and that the United States should play a leading role in assisting these countries. ..
Ukrainian immigrant lawmaker Victoria Spats, who joined the delegation, told Fox News that humanitarian response cannot be left to Poland alone.
Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President Zelensky, told ABC News that she wants Ukrainian women and children to help them seek refugee acceptance.
A coalition of more than 20 Jewish-American organizations also accepted Biden last week as “our community painfully knows what happens when the United States closes its doors to refugees.” I asked for expansion.
◎ Will the United States expand the acceptance of Ukrainian refugees?
According to US State Department data, only 514 Ukrainian refugees were accepted by the United States in January and February this year when Russia was strengthening its armaments at the Ukrainian border. Official data for March are not yet available.
Former President Trump has reduced the annual refugee acceptance limit to a record low of 15,000. As a result, the system was drained, and the corona wreck was combined with the delay in the procedure.
In response, President Biden has set a total refugee acceptance limit of 125,000 this year. Of these, the quota for Europe and Central Asia, which includes Ukraine, is 10,000, but it can be expanded as needed and some procedures can be expedited.
◎ Ukrainians aiming for US asylum from Mexico
Thousands of Ukrainians and Russians are heading to the US-Mexico border in search of asylum in the United States, Archyde.com reported this month. This trend may be spurred on as the humanitarian crisis worsens.
During the first five months of this fiscal year, which began last October, US officials on the Mexican border met about 1,300 Ukrainians. Last year, this number was about 680 in a year.
Most Ukrainians have been admitted to the country and are now able to apply for immigration. In contrast, people from other countries are often banished to Mexico and other countries under the “Title 42” Corona stigma decree.
However, there are reports that several Ukrainians arriving at the Mexican border in the last few days have been denied entry into the United States.
◎ U.S. support for Ukraine other than refugee acceptance
The US government is providing large-scale financial support to European countries that are accepting refugees.
Biden signed a law on the 15th that will contribute $ 13.6 billion to Ukraine and its European allies. Approximately $ 4 billion will go to help those who flee the country.
The US government announced this month that it will grant temporary protection status (TPS) to an estimated 75,000 Ukrainians already in the United States.
Those who have obtained TPS are given a deportation deferment and a work permit for one and a half years, and can be renewed when the deadline is reached. However, this does not apply to people arriving after March 1st.