Pushing for permanent solutions for vulnerable Ukrainians and others
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B Stands for Blue & Yellow

Good afternoon, 

Three weeks ago, Vladimir Putin's forces invaded Ukraine. In that
time, approximately three million people have fled the country,
according to the U.N.
,
creating the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War
II.  

The international community has rallied around the need to support the
Ukrainian people during their struggle against the attacks of the
Russian forces. Landmarks

around the globe, from the Eiffel Tower to the Sydney Opera House to the
Empire State Building, have lit up in blue and yellow, the colors of the
Ukrainian flag. But more importantly, countries are welcoming Ukrainian
refugees

and assisting Ukrainians already within their borders. Most of those
fleeing have remained in Europe, with Poland accepting 1.8 million
refugees so far.  

Although the U.S. is not experiencing the same surge as some European
nations, we have a duty to provide protection to those fleeing violence
and oppression. The Biden administration has granted

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to the estimated 30,000 Ukrainians
already here. This designation comes after lawmakers

and advocacy groups, including the Forum's Council on National
Security and Immigration
, urged the
administration to take action.  

There is broad public support for admitting Ukrainian refugees. Nearly
seven-in-ten Americans are supportive, according to the Pew Research
Center
.
Yet, the reality

is that the U.S. refugee resettlement process would take years to
complete. Ukrainians abroad trying to apply for U.S. visas will face
long wait times and a backlog of applications. Therefore, the National
Immigration Forum is urging the Biden
administration to continue to rebuild our refugee resettlement
infrastructure and welcome vulnerable refugees from Ukraine and other
nations.

The outpouring of support for vulnerable Ukrainians is encouraging.
Let's build upon this momentum to fix America's broken immigration
system and be a beacon of hope for all those
seeking protection across the globe. Yesterday, Afghans already in the
country were granted TPS, allowing them to live and work legally in the
U.S. for 18 months. Although this is a positive step

toward helping our Afghan allies, it is not a permanent solution. We
must continue to push for an Afghan Adjustment Act
.  

This week also marks 11 years since the Syrian uprising
,
which rapidly escalated into an ongoing war after the Assad regime
responded with a violent crackdown. Oula Alrifai, Assistant Vice
President of Field & Constituencies, reflects on her experience as a
former political asylee from Syria and the tragic parallels to what is
now happening in Ukraine in a powerful blog post
. Let's heed her
words:  

"'We the people' are the hope of the oppressed, in Syria and
everywhere. Syrians, Ukrainians, Afghans - all refugees and
immigrants, regardless of their country of origin, deserve to be met
with welcome, compassion, and support." 

There's always more to be done on behalf of our immigrant community
and vulnerable refugees. I hope you'll continue to join the National
Immigration Forum in pushing for just, compassionate and strategic
immigration policies that benefit us all. 

Stay healthy and hopeful, 

Adam

**Adam Estle** 
Vice President of Field and Constituencies 
National Immigration Forum  

P.S. In case you missed it, the Forum recently announced the launch of
the Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus
,
a new coalition formed by business, faith, education, national security,
and advocacy organizations to advance bipartisan legislative solutions
on immigration reforms. Join us by adding your name
as a supporter and
telling Congress to support meaningful
immigration reform! 

NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:

**NEWSWEEK:** We Represent Diverse Christian Denominations, But We Agree
on Immigration Reform
 

**CBS NEWS:** Migrant arrivals at Mexican border increased in February,
with 55% quickly expelled
 

**TIME:** A Wave of Ukrainians and Russians at the U.S.-Mexico Border
Puts Pressure on Biden's Immigration Restrictions
 

**THE xxxxxx:** The Moral Clarity of Resettling Refugees
 

NPR: Thousands of Afghan refugees are still living in hotels while they
wait for housing
 

 

Donate Now

 

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