World Relief has resettled over 13,000 refugees from Ukraine since 2004 - 3,000 alone in Sacramento over the last 8 years. We ask you to pray that the pipeline remains open.

We do not currently have any information about the resettlement prospects of those impacted by the present conflict, but will continue to update this page as more information becomes available.

Please note that there is not currently an immediate way to bring family members out of Ukraine to the United States. Current wait times for immigration processes vary and most immigration avenues and processes take many months to complete.  However, World Relief Sacramento will update the impacted community on any information here related to an expedited process if that becomes an option.

For those who are seeking to bring family to the United States, World Relief Sacramento may assist in two ways.

1. The Lautenberg program is a family reunification program that allows local resettlement offices to assist certain individuals to apply for family members in former Soviet Union countries to come to the United States as refugees.  This process is not an immediate avenue for relocation to the U.S. and beneficiaries will need to process through an embassy or consulate. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for this program, please click here for additional information and instructions.
2. US Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents may have the option to apply for some family members through World Relief Sacramento. Please fill out this form if you would like more information.

Options for U.S. citizens with a Ukrainian spouse or child seeking to travel to the United States on a nonimmigrant visa:

• If you already have an pending application or appointment at the U.S. Embassy Kyiv, you must apply in any country where the applicants are physically present and where there are appointments available.  As each U.S. Embassy and Consulate has specific applications procedures, you should contact the U.S Embassy where you wish to apply or reschedule directly

• Temporary Protected Status - The Department of Homeland Security has announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Individuals eligible for TPS under this designation must have continuously resided in the United States since March 1, 2022. TPS is not available for Individuals who are attempting to travel to the United States after March 1, 2022. They will not be eligible for TPS. Ukraine’s 18-month designation will go into effect once the designation is published in the Federal Register. The Federal Register notice will provide instructions for applying for TPS and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). There is no application process until the designation is published in the Federal Register. Individuals who may be eligible for TPS should consult with an immigration legal service provider.
• Diversity Visa: The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes visas available, drawn from a random selection among all entries, to individuals who apply through the Department of State. Applications are usually accepted in October and November of each year. To learn more, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website.
• Seeking refugee status in third countries: 
  • Displaced people from Ukraine can register with UNHCR to get help. Processes will vary by country. Visit the UNHCR page for the country you are in to learn more.
    • Hungary
    • Poland
    • Romania
    • Slovakia
    • Other countries 
• Seeking asylum at the U.S. border:  For those who are outside the U.S. and are wishing to seek asylum at a U.S. Port of Entry, there are some restrictions which may prevent access to entry to the U.S.. Please get advise from an immigration attorney before approaching a Port of Entry to seek asylum.
• If you are currently present in the United States and wish to seek asylum, if you are filing more than 1 year after your entry to the U.S. you must demonstrate the changed circumstances that prevented a well founded fear of persecution in your home country.

On February 24, 2022, World Relief issued a statement in response to the humanitarian needs in Ukraine and urged countries surrounding the conflict to provide a place of safety and refugee.

Read the full press release here.