John —

Yesterday morning, we woke up to news of Russian missile strikes raining down on Ukraine and Ukrainians trying to flee the country, after weeks of tension and fear.  

Take action now to protect Ukrainians currently in the U.S. and prepare for Ukrainian refugees.  

A large-scale movement of people like this could lead to the largest movement of refugees in Europe since 2015. With authoritarianism on the march, democracies must respond to the weapons of war and the weaponization of migration with moral clarity. 

The Biden administration must swiftly grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for eligible Ukrainians currently in the U.S., as well as Special Student Relief for Ukrainian international students. We cannot force them to choose between staying illegally or returning to a nation under attack. These are simple and powerful steps that send a clear message to the world.  

Act now: Urge the Biden administration to swiftly grant TPS or DED and Special Student Relief for eligible Ukrainians. 

The U.S. and European nations must also prepare for a potential movement of refugees from Ukraine. The United States has an obligation to offer humanitarian support for those caught in the crosshairs of invasion and political instability — and we must rise to the occasion and offer protection to those facing violence, persecution, or degradation abroad.  

For the sake of Ukrainian refugees today, and those inevitably and forcibly displaced in the future, we must act with urgency and clarity — now. Urge the Biden administration to protect Ukrainians currently in the U.S. and prepare for refugees from Ukraine.  

Thank you for all you do for refugees across the globe,  

Laurence Benenson
Vice President of Policy & Advocacy
National Immigration Forum