Connecticut for Ukraine

Sponsors

Refugees

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Ukrainian Refugees

Their stories will be retold for generations

Be a part of their future.

 

Connecticut for Ukraine (CT4U) is a volunteer-based matching service in support of applicants for the United for Ukraine (U4U) program launched by the Biden administration in April 2022. The CT4U program facilitates the matching of qualified Ukrainian applicants with the most suitable sponsors in the state of CT through a simple online pre-screening process.

As a public service to US sponsors and Ukrainian refugees alike, we have established a partnership between the Honorary Consulate of Romania to Connecticut and the Immigration Practice Area of the Murtha Cullina LLP law firm, which will provide a free pre-screening form that collects information from sponsors and beneficiaries to match them.

Sponsors

For a refugee from Ukraine who fled the war to be eligible for the U4U program, they must have a supporter/sponsor in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support during their stay in the United States (2 years). US sponsors must complete financial, background, and security checks with DHS to protect against exploitation and abuse and to ensure sufficient financial resources.

Step 1

Get Informed

Learn about humanitarian parole through the new Uniting for Ukraine program on the DHS website and decide if being a sponsor will suit you.

Step 2

Get Matched

After completing a pre-screening Sponsor Form, we’ll review your application and match you with a Ukrainian family.

Step 3

Become a Sponsor

Once matched with a family, you’ll complete some additional paperwork with USCIS. If successfully vetted, you’ll welcome your refugee family.

Step 1

Get Informed

Learn about humanitarian parole through the new Uniting for Ukraine program on the DHS website and decide if being a sponsor will suit you.

Step 2

Get Matched

After completing a pre-screening Sponsor Form, we’ll review your application and match you with a Ukrainian family.

Step 3

Become a Sponsor

Once matched with a family, you’ll complete some additional paperwork with USCIS. If successfully vetted, you’ll welcome your refugee family.

Refugees

Beneficiaries of the U4U program must have a sponsor in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States (2 years). US supporters must clear financial, background, and security checks with DHS in order to protect against exploitation and abuse and ensure sufficient financial resources.

Step 1

Get Informed

Learn about humanitarian parole through the U4U program on the DHS website and decide if this is the best program for you.

Step 2

Get Matched

After completing a pre-screening Refugee Form, we’ll review your application and match you with a US sponsor.

Step 3

Apply with USCIS

Once successfully approved by USCIS after submitting documents, you will begin the process of coming to America.

Step 1

Get Informed

Learn about humanitarian parole through the U4U program on the DHS website and decide if this is the best program for you.

Step 2

Get Matched

After completing a pre-screening Refugee Form, we’ll review your application and match you with a US sponsor.

Step 3

Apply with USCIS

Once successfully approved by USCIS after submitting documents, you will begin the process of coming to America.

Frequently Asked
Questions

Who can be a Sponsor?
  • Anyone with lawful US status/ parolee/ beneficiary of deferred action/ Deferred Enforced Departure (DED):
    • Multiple supporters may join together to have the financial ability to support one or more Ukrainian beneficiaries (ex: faith communities).
    • Organizations may not serve as the named supporter but evidence of their financial or services contribution may be included with the main supporter’s I-134A application and will be taken into consideration.
Who can be a Beneficiary?
  • Ukrainian citizens who resided in Ukraine before the Russian invasion (through February 11, 2022) and were displaced as a result of the invasion (i.e., not for Ukrainians who remain in their original homes) and their immediate family members of any nationality (spouse/ common-law partner; unmarried children under 21.
  • You must have a valid passport.
  • Children under 18 must be traveling with a parent/ legal guardian.

NOTE: Registering with “Connecticut for Ukraine” is not analogous to an application to Uniting for Ukraine, nor are you required to apply for the program if you complete the forms! Sponsors are not formally vetted by the CT4U program.

Are children without an available parent or guardian eligible for U4U?

No, minor children (under the age of 18 who are traveling without their parent or legal guardian) are not eligible for Uniting for Ukraine.

I understand coming on U4U is temporary. What can anyone do to change status?
U4U system does not offer a direct path towards getting a green card. If you choose to apply for asylum, change of status through marrying a resident, reuniting with family members that are citizens or residents or get an employment sponsored visa, we advise you to consult Dana Bucin, the initiator of CT4U program who is a licensed immigration attorney, to understand which option might fit you.
What happens are the I-134A Form is filed?

Once the U.S. Sponsor has demonstrated sufficient financial support and has passed background/ security checks, and their I-134A is approved, the Ukrainian Beneficiary will receive an email from USCIS on how to create an account with https://my.uscis.gov/ and instructions on the next steps. 

The U.S. Sponsors should receive notice of I-134A approval as regular mail in approximately 2 days-2 weeks, while beneficiaries will receive updates via email.  The process lasts longer for non-Ukrainian spouses/ children.

After I-134A sponsor approval, USCIS notifies the Beneficiary directly and gives them instructions for the medical attestations and anything else they must still satisfy in order to receive U.S. Travel Authorization.  USCIS also runs background and security checks on each beneficiary. DHS only requires attestation from the Beneficiaries that they already have the Covid vaccine or else they agree to get one shortly after arrival in the US – vaccination against Covid being a legal requirement for all non-immigrants and a pre-requisite to securing permanent legal status in the USA.      

Ukrainian citizens must meet other CDC travel requirements, including pre-departure testing for COVID-19.

The Beneficiary will be authorized to travel to the United States to seek parole; this authorization is valid for 90 days, and Ukrainians are responsible for securing their own travel via air to the US unless the US sponsor informally agrees to cover it. 

After receiving the U.S. Travel Authorization and making the travel arrangements, the beneficiaries will be able to notify their sponsors about the details of their arrival in the USA.

How much income do I need to have to be considered eligible to sponsor a Ukrainian?

USCIS requires you to show that the income you and your family are making should be above 125% of the FPL (federal poverty line).

Are sponsors legally liable once they sign the I-134A form?

No, the sponsors do not take any legally-binding obligation and cannot be sued. The form is more of a moral guarantee that the beneficiary has a person of contact to rely on, to get guidance from and housing support, and other types of support, to the degree and extent with which the sponsor feels comfortable.

I found someone to sponsor through Facebook, can I tell them to sign up with you so I can match through Connecticut for Ukraine?

If you already got in contact with someone, met them, and reached an agreement, you don’t need to sign up for our system. If you have any concerns or questions about future options, you can contact us and our partner organizations for more practical or legal support.

Can I travel after I am paroled into the US? Can I leave/return to Ukraine after getting to the US?

Travel once on U4U Humanitarian Parole is only possible by requesting advance permission via form I-131 Application for a Travel Document and only for exceptional circumstances such as medical emergencies for a close relative. If you travel without this document you may lose your parole and not be able to return to the US.

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Connecticut for Ukraine