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Dear Friend,
On February 23, 2022, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine and advanced toward the capital in Kyiv. The Ukrainian government reported 40 casualties within the first 12 hours of the invasion. As the situation continues to devolve, it will prove impossible for Ukrainians to safely return to the country.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine makes return from the United States to their home country extremely dangerous for more than 100,000 Ukrainians now living in the United States without permanent resident status. The Biden administration must order an immediate 18-month designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) and Special Student Relief (SSR) for Ukraine.
Call your Senators. Call your Congressional Representative. Contact the White House through this email form. Tell them that the United States must act now to protect Ukrainians living in the United States through Temporary Protected Status, Deferred Enforced Departure, and Special Student Relief. [LINKS: [link removed] ; [link removed] ; [link removed]]
TPS is a statutory status that allows people from a designated country to remain in the United States while conditions in their home country make safe return impossible. The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can designate a country for TPS if conditions in that country meet the requirements regarding ongoing armed conflict, natural disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions preventing a safe return.
DED is rooted in the President's authority to conduct foreign affairs and is a critical foreign policy tool to provide humanitarian protection. Like TPS, DED provides protection from deportation and eligibility for work permits for designated time periods.
SSR may be granted to students from a designated country under emergency circumstances.
Call your Senators. Call your Congressional Representative. Contact the White House through this email form. Tell them that the United States must act now to protect Ukrainians living in the United States through Temporary Protected Status, Deferred Enforced Departure, and Special Student Relief. [LINKS: [link removed] ; [link removed] ; [link removed]]
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota has signed on to an organizational letter to President Biden, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging immediate action. Join us in taking action now.
In solidarity,
Veena Iyer
ILCM Executive Director
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