Biden administration expected to detail how Ukrainian refugees can enter US on humanitarian grounds, source says

The Biden administration is expected to soon announce new details for how Ukrainian refugees would be able to seek entry into the United States on humanitarian grounds, a source familiar with the planning said.

The move would come nearly one month after President Joe Biden pledged to admit up to 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion. More than 5,000 Ukrainians attempted to enter the US in March, including more than 3,200 at the southern border with Mexico, according to US Customs and Border Protection data.

The humanitarian parole program, which would fall under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security and could be announced as soon as Thursday, would require Ukrainians seeking entry to the US to be sponsored by a US citizen or individual, which would include resettlement organizations and nonprofit organizations, the source said. The Ukrainian applicants would need to undergo rigorous security vetting and checks, including biographic and biometric screening, and complete vaccinations and other public health requirements, including receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, to be eligible, the source said. Sponsors would need to pass security background checks of their own as well as declare financial support.