The Biden administration made a significant expansion to the immigration relief program for Ukrainians in the United States on Friday. This expansion was justified by Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia, which has resulted in a humanitarian crisis and the displacement of millions of Ukrainian refugees, particularly women and children.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that an additional 166,700 Ukrainians would be eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS allows migrants from crisis-stricken countries to obtain work permits and protection from deportation. This decision extends the enrollment period for approximately 26,000 Ukrainians who have already received TPS and allows recently arrived Ukrainians to qualify for the program.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated that Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian crisis necessitated the United States’ continued offer of safety and protection to Ukrainians who may not be able to return to their country.
The Biden administration has been actively working to support Ukraine’s war effort through various means, including providing billions of dollars in aid, weapons, and diplomatic support to isolate Russia. As part of this effort, the administration has admitted a record number of Ukrainians since the start of the war. Many Ukrainians initially flew to Mexico and then entered the United States, while others arrived through temporary visa programs.
The use of TPS has been significantly expanded by the Biden administration, with migrants from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Myanmar, Sudan, and Venezuela becoming eligible for the program. The administration has also maintained long-standing TPS programs for El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal, reversing previous efforts to terminate them.
However, there has been criticism from progressive advocates and Democrats for not expanding TPS programs for countries like Nicaragua and Venezuela, as well as not creating new designations for nations like Mauritania. Local leaders in cities struggling to house migrants, such as New York City, have been vocal about the need for expanded TPS programs.
The Biden administration has been cautious about expanding TPS programs for Nicaragua and Venezuela due to concerns about creating incentives for illegal border crossings. The Department of Homeland Security regularly monitors country conditions and consults with appropriate government agencies to determine whether a TPS designation is warranted.
The expansion of the TPS program for Ukraine has drawn attention to the potential to do more for other populations, including Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Mauritanians. The decision to expand the program for Ukraine highlights the power of offering protection and work authorization to migrants who face dire circumstances.
Camilo Montoya-Galvez, the immigration reporter at CBS News, covers immigration policy and politics from Washington.
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