Tell Congress: Extend Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees Law to those still fleeing

Submitted on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 - 9:40am

More than eight million Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes since the Russian invasion. According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, about 300 people have been admitted as humanitarian parolees to Minnesota. Most Ukrainians who come to Minnesota do so through the Humanitarian Parole program. 

 

Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees who entered the United States on or after February 24, 2022, and before September 30, 2023, and their immediate relatives, are eligible for the following public benefits to the same extent as refugees.

• Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

• Diversionary Work Program (DWP)

• Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)

• General Assistance (GA)

• Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)

• Housing Support (GRH)

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

• Office of Refugee Resettlement Programs and Services 

 

Since December, Minnesota Council of Churches is now starting to see people showing up at our agency in bigger numbers. At the MCC, we are now serving close to 500 Ukrainians. We enroll them in: Refugee Cash Assistance, Matching Grant, Housing Support, Employment program, Work Shop and Culture orientation programs, and Immigration Case Management. Our agency provides strong case management for Ukrainian people because, like any other people fleeing persecution and starting new lives, they need to learn how to live in a new country.

 

Our Ukrainian Navigation Services program, Refugee Cash Assistance and Match Grant team have helped more than 500 people to find new homes, new jobs, education, help with resolving immediate needs, and help securing or maintaining employment. We have referred people to an Employment Counselor and to support with legal services.  

 

This Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees law was in effect just till September 30, 2023; those who have arrived after September 30, 2023, are no longer eligible for Office of Refugee Resettlement funding. However, people still arrive and they need help with access benefits and case management very important to them.

 

Call both of your Minnesota Senators and your Congressional Representative. Leave a clear voice message urging support for Ukraine by re-implementing the Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees law that expired in September. As we know, Ukraine is still under attack and Ukrainians are still fleeing to Minnesota. Let us give them the help they deserve.

Here are some resources to help:

Please note: These calls are typically brief, and staff may try to keep the conversation concise to accommodate other callers.