Ukrainians in Minnesota
Minnesota has an established Ukrainian community that has long been contributing to the Minnesota’s economic and cultural vitality. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, there has been an increase in the number of people from Ukraine granted humanitarian protection in the United States.
Some new arrivals have been invited to resettle permanently through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Others have arrived through other pathways created by the U.S. government to provide protection temporarily.
On April 21, 2022, President Joe Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine, a streamlined process to provide Ukrainian citizens fleeing Russia’s invasion an opportunity to find safety in the United States. Since the program's start, more than 155,000 have been admitted to the U.S. through this program.
Some Ukrainian citizens who traveled independently, and are not part of the Uniting for Ukraine program, may be granted temporary humanitarian or significant public benefit parole.
Uniting for Ukraine
Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family outside the U.S. to apply for travel to the U.S. to live and work for up to two years.
Ukrainians must have a financial supporter in the United States. The terms “supporter” and “sponsor” are both commonly used to reference people who invite an eligible Ukrainian to travel to the U.S. through the program and commit to providing ongoing support to people once they have arrived.
Supporters must pass security and background vetting to mitigate against potential exploitation. Supporters must also demonstrate sufficient financial resources to “receive, maintain, and support” the Ukrainians they commit to support and agree to provide financial and other resources for the duration of the parole period. Required support includes:
- Welcoming the people they commit to support when they arrive in the U.S. and bringing them to/ensuring initial housing is available
- Ensuring the people they commit to support have safe and appropriate housing for the duration of their parole, as well as necessities
- As appropriate, help the people they commit to support complete necessary paperwork such as for employment authorization, a Social Security card, and other services for which they may be eligible
- Ensuring the people they commit to support have access to health care and their medical needs are met
- As appropriate, assist the people they commit to support with accessing education, learning English, securing employment, and enrolling children in school.
To learn more about the Uniting for Ukraine program, visit the Department of Homeland Security's Uniting for Ukraine or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service’s Uniting for Ukraine.
Eligibility for resettlement network services
The Minnesota Department of Human Services' Resettlement Programs Office provides supplemental services to eligible newcomers. Ukrainian nationals who have refugee or asylee status, are always eligible for resettlement network services, regardless of arrival date.
People arriving from Ukraine through other pathways may be eligible for these services if they entered the United States with parole between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023. The spouse or child (under 21 years old) of persons meeting the eligibility criteria above may also be eligible for services if they arrive after September 30, 2023. Additionally, the parent or legal guardian or primary caregiver of an unaccompanied child who meets the eligibility criteria above may also be eligible for services if they arrive after Sept. 30, 2023.
For specific eligibility information, see the Office of Refugee Resettlement Policy Letter: Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees Eligible for ORR Benefits and Services.
For assistance in determining eligibility, please contact one of the five resettlement agencies in Minnesota: Arrive Ministries, Minnesota Council of Churches, International Institute of Minnesota, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, and Catholic Charities.