President Joe Biden announced Thursday that he is launching a new program to bring more Ukrainians to America in an effort that could result in 100,000 refugees relocating to the U.S.
The new “Unite for Ukraine” program was described as a secure and fast program to bring Ukrainians fleeing war directly from Europe to the U.S. rather than through the nation’s southern border.
“Last month when I was in Europe, I announced that the United State would welcome 100,000 so we share in the responsibility to share. We’ve welcomed tens of thousands of Ukrainians to the United States and today I’m announcing a program ‘Unite for Ukraine,’ a new program to enable Ukrainians seeking refuge to come directly from Europe to the United States,” Biden said during remarks from the White House.
Tune in as I provide an update on our efforts to support the people of Ukraine and announce additional assistance. https://t.co/mjwhdQVcTC
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 21, 2022
The new initiative is designed to build on existing pathways to secure migration for fleeing Ukrainians.
“This new humanitarian parole program will complement the existing legal pathways available to Ukrainians including immigrant visas and refugee processing. It will provide an expedient channel to secure migration from Ukraine to the United States for Ukrainians who have a sponsor such as a family or NGO,” the president added.
Biden also hinted at previous concerns regarding his immigration policies, arguing that the Ukrainian resettlement effort will be streamlined more efficiently than existing efforts.
“This program will be fast, it will be streamlined, and ensure the United States honors its commitment to go to the people of Ukraine and need not go through our southern border,” he noted.
The new plan will require Ukrainians to have a sponsor in the U.S. according to a report by NBC News.
“An online portal will open on April 25 to allow sponsors to upload documents as part of a process to ensure Ukrainians can be sponsored but that sponsors are not seeking to exploit the Ukrainians they take in,” the report added.
The president’s remarks also confirmed his expected announcement to release an additional $800 million in military security funding for Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
The announcement also follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling again on the leaders of Western nations to provide the weapons his country needs to defend itself against Russia’s military.
Zelensky shared the remarks during his nightly nationally televised broadcast on Tuesday in Ukraine. He claimed that it’s unfair that he must keep asking for weapons other nations have had in storage for years.
“That is why I emphasize the simple truth in literally every contact with the leaders of the democratic world, in all negotiations, in all interviews – it is unfair that Ukraine is still forced to ask for what its partners have been storing somewhere for years,” Zelensky said.
“If they have the weapons that Ukraine needs here, needs now, if they have the ammunition that we need here and now, it is their moral duty, first of all, to help protect freedom. Help save the lives of thousands of Ukrainians,” he added.