WJCI Protects Ukrainians

WJCI calls on the Biden administration and the international community to use broad authority to safeguard Ukrainians immediately. Holly Rosen Fink, President of WJCI, said,
"As a humanitarian organization, our hearts and prayers are with the global Ukrainian community. WJCI is committed to caring for the inevitable refugees who will need the international community to open its doors, and we will do what we can to help."

In response to the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine and the imminent humanitarian crisis, The Westchester Jewish Coalition for Immigration (WJCI) calls on the Biden Administration to protect Ukrainian people, both in Ukraine and in America.

The Biden Administration should immediately grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), and Special Student Relief (SSR) to Ukrainians currently living in the U.S. These measures would provide work permits and prevent the deportation of Ukrainian non-citizens who cannot safely return home. In addition, TPS can safeguard those who are denied or may be ineligible for asylum but still need lifesaving protection.

There are 104,618 Ukrainian non-citizens currently living in the United States. Of these, more than 100 Ukrainian DACA recipients and nearly 2,000 F-1 Ukrainian international students could receive help through TPS. In addition, TPS and DED would provide humanitarian protection to Ukrainian people already in the U.S., keep families together, and offer a measure of stability through work permits.

The Biden Administration's increase of the refugee ceiling to 125,000, coupled with low numbers of refugee arrivals to date, means that the U.S. has ample room to welcome Ukrainian refugees.We call on the Biden Administration to use its expansive authority to safeguard Ukrainians in the U.S. immediately. We must stand with them.
The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation announced the establishment of "Ukraine AirLIFT," a program to deliver medical supplies to all parts of Ukraine. The Afya Foundation, in conjunction with UJA-Federation of New York, both WJCI partners, are preparing urgently needed wound care, surgical equipment, and biomedical equipment to be shipped to Ukraine. WJCI will help to mobilize community members to aid this effort. We encourage all volunteers to sign up here. Meanwhile, donations in support of this worthy cause can be made through either of the above links.

WJCI is a volunteer-run, non-partisan organization that mobilizes the Jewish community to welcome refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants to communities in Westchester and throughout New York where they can live safely with dignity. The organization includes Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Reform, and unaffiliated Jews from around the Westchester region and partners with institutions and individuals of all faiths.
For more information, visit wjci.org or email info@wjci.org.