The Latest Breaking News from Uniting for Ukraine

The article explains why the progam is a major improvement over previous policies, and how it can be further improved and made a model for refugee policy generally.

In sharp contrast to the sclerotic traditional refugee admissions program, the new private refugee sponsorship program enables Ukrainians fleeing war and repression to enter the US quickly and relatively easily. As a participating sponsor myself, I have firsthand knowledge of its effectiveness.

Uniting for Ukraine, a program providing private support to displaced Ukrainians, has proved more effective than the government's own resettlement efforts.

The Uniting for Ukraine program and other new initiatives may open the door to a broader role for private citizens in sponsoring refugees.

In just over a month, the Uniting for Ukraine private sponsorship program has attracted huge support.

Critics allege, with some justice, that the Biden Administration is treating the former more favorably than the latter. If so, the right solution is to increase openness to Afghans and others fleeing war and repression, not bar more Ukrainians.

Ukrainians are coming to the US on tourist visas, through the southern border or under a new sponsorship programme.

Twice daily, Yuliya Day reaches out by phone from Los Angeles to see how her mother and aunt are doing in the attic they’ve rented in Warsaw. The sisters, 68 and 70 years old, crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border with two cats and few belongings after fleeing Kharkiv.

Though the program has flaws, it’s an innovative way for private citizens to get directly involved in resettlement efforts for fleeing Ukrainians.

At same time, Biden administration discourages Ukrainians from trying to enter US through southern border with Mexico.