Welcome.US Statement on the Four-Year Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and the Continued Commitment of American Sponsors

Americans stepped up, now government must follow through on its commitments

Washington, D.C.—Welcome.US CEO Nazanin Ash issued the following statement today recognizing the four-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

“Four years after Russia launched its brutal invasion of Ukraine, we honor the resilience of the Ukrainian people—and the Americans who stepped forward when families were forced to flee their homes under bombardment.

“This war has destroyed cities, separated families, and made daily life unsafe for millions. While many Ukrainians remain on the front lines defending their country, others—primarily women, children, and older adults—had no choice but to seek safety abroad. Many cannot safely return to a nation still under attack.

“In the United States, safety was made possible by everyday Americans who raised their hands to sponsor families through the Uniting for Ukraine program. Ukrainians were invited by the U.S. government to apply, were thoroughly vetted, and arrived lawfully. Sponsors in all 50 states stepped up—demonstrating a defining truth about this country: when called upon, Americans rise to meet the moment.

“Today, many of those same families face renewed uncertainty. More than 120,000 Ukrainians are navigating shifting policies, delayed processing, rising fees, and prolonged waiting periods for work authorization and status renewals. Families who followed every rule and applied in good faith now fear falling out of status through no fault of their own. Haitians, Venezuelans, Cubans, and Nicaraguans—also sponsored by Americans, also fleeing violence and oppression—are facing similar challenges.

“These delays have real consequences. A Ukrainian mother in South Carolina cannot legally work or drive while awaiting renewal of her work authorization. A Ukrainian nursing student in Wisconsin, training to help fill critical healthcare shortages, fears she may not be able to complete her program before her parole expires. Across the country, newcomers are afraid to leave their homes—for work, groceries, or scheduled immigration appointments.

“Even amid this uncertainty, American sponsors continue to stand with the families they welcomed—paying rent when work authorization lapses, navigating complex paperwork, and shouldering responsibilities they never expected to carry alone. Their compassion reflects the best of who we are as a nation.

“Ukrainians—as well as other newcomers who sought refuge in the United States through legal pathways and who cannot safely return home—should not be left in limbo. Our nation made a commitment and asked Americans to be part of helping fulfill it. That commitment must be honored.

“Four years into this conflict, Americans across the political spectrum continue the quiet, everyday work of welcoming. We seek leaders who will match their commitment by ensuring timely processing, minimizing gaps in work authorization, and preventing families we have lawfully welcomed from being pushed into unnecessary hardship.

“Newcomers are contributing to communities across the country—working in small businesses, strengthening local institutions, paying taxes, and building new lives. Welcoming them has strengthened America, too. As Christy, a sponsor in Georgia, said, 'I tell everyone they are just as much a blessing to us as we were to them.'

“The need for safety endures. So does the generosity of the American people. In our representative democracy, our policies should mirror their compassion.”