Ukrainians in the US mobilise to help some 100,000 expected refugees

As the United States prepares to accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s invasion of their country, existing communities in cities like Sacramento and Seattle are already mobilising to provide food, shelter and support to those fleeing the war.

The federal government hasn’t said when the formal resettlement process will begin, but Ukrainian groups in the US are already providing support to people entering the country through other channels, including on visas that will eventually expire or by flying to Mexico and crossing over the border.

“No refugee is waiting for you to be ready for them,” said Eduard Kislyanka, senior pastor at the House of Bread church near Sacramento, which has been sending teams of people to Poland and preparing dozens of its member families to house people arriving in California.

Since the war began in late February an estimated 3.6 million people have fled Ukraine and millions more have been displaced within the country. President Joe Biden said last week that the US would admit up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees and provide US$1 billion in humanitarian assistance to countries affected by the exodus.

The federal government has yet to provide a timeline for refugee resettlement – often a lengthy process – or details on where refugees will be resettled. It’s unlikely the US will see a massive influx of Ukrainians on charter and military flights like happened with Afghan refugees last year.

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, said the White House commitment of accepting up to 100,000 Ukrainians does not come with a minimum. Aside from the refugee resettlement programme, their main avenues will be seeking humanitarian parole and appearing at the border with Mexico, she said.

Many who reach the US will likely go to cities that already have strong Ukrainian communities.