Ukrainian Response

Immigrant ARC stands in solidarity with everyone affected by the crisis in Ukraine. As the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.“ Russia’s continued and unprovoked attacks on an independent people’s democracy, who are now exercising their rights to seek protection and safety through migration, cannot be met by inaction. We are working with our members and partners to do all we can to help respond to the suffering caused by the ongoing conflict, and to support Ukrainian communities here in New York. Please check this page regularly for updates on events and resources as they are developed. You can also find links to general information that may be helpful.

On April 25, 2022, the U.S. government began accepting applications for a program known as Uniting for Ukraine (U4U).  But coming to the United States through this pathway requires support from a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or other legally-residing individual – including representatives of non-government organizations.

You can help. 

We have partnered with Welcome.US to amplify the call to action for Americans to step up as sponsors and welcomers for Ukrainian newcomers.

By becoming a sponsor, you can provide the necessary support for a family or individual fleeing the war and make sure they are successfully welcomed into our communities. The federal government will vet and approve the applications of both sponsors and people from Ukraine seeking humanitarian parole. 

If you’re not ready to sponsor, but still want to help, the Ukraine Welcome Hub also offers details on other acts of welcome you can take to support Ukrainian newcomers in the United States. By becoming a welcomer, you can donate to the Welcome Fund to support frontline organizations, including Immigrant ARC, donate housing to Airbnb, donate miles to Miles4Migrants, and sign up to keep informed on ways to welcome Ukrainians, including upcoming volunteer opportunities in your community.

Providing support for Ukrainian newcomers and their sponsors is especially crucial in New York. By mid-September 2022, New York was the top state for U4U applications, with over 17,000 applications filed. In the NYC metro area, including parts of New Jersey, over 20,000 applications had been filed by mid-September. To meet the needs of these newcomers and their sponsors, I-ARC is leading a consortium of organizations with strong ties to the Ukrainian community and a deep commitment to welcoming and resettling newcomers. As the lead organization, I-ARC serves as the main hub where sponsors can reach out to ask for help, and I-ARC refers sponsors to consortium members depending on the nature of their inquiry.

OUR CONSORTIUM PARTNERS:

The Ukraine Immigration Task Force will serve as the legal guides and immigration attorneys for sponsors looking for advice.

The Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, a community organization based in the New York zip code that has accepted more Ukrainians than any other since the war began, serves as the social services hub for sponsors who need help enrolling beneficiaries in public benefits, connecting with educational services, child care, and other key services.

New Jersey Realtors United for Ukrainian Refugees serve as housing experts for sponsors needing support around housing issues.

Hearts and Homes for Refugees provide support to existing and new sponsors and create networks and community between them to further help them succeed. Consortium members regularly hold webinars and trainings for sponsors, recently arrived Ukrainians, and other community members. 

I-ARC has also partnered with New York Law School, the New York Immigration Coalition, Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, private law firms, and other organizations to provide essential immigration legal services to Ukrainian newcomers, including clinics to screen for immigration relief, clinics to prepare and file applications for Temporary Protected Status, and community-facing trainings on how to prepare and file applications for work authorization. 

People fleeing the violence and horrors of the ongoing war  in Ukraine have the opportunity to live in safety and stability as our new neighbors. This is an opportunity that should be available for all newcomers seeking refuge here, and we will continue to advocate for policies that effectively and quickly extend safety to other migrants fleeing danger and persecution. 

It’s a long road ahead, but with all of us coming together to embody the best of our community’s values, we can help pave a smoother path for Ukrainian newcomers as they begin their journey of healing and rebuilding.