Russia’s war against Ukraine is not over. Ukrainian civilians continue to face missile and drone attacks, destruction of homes and infrastructure, and conditions that make safe return impossible for many families.

The United States provided Ukrainians displaced by the war with lawful, temporary protections. Since arriving, Ukrainians have worked, paid taxes, started businesses, supported their families, and contributed billions of dollars to the U.S. economy. They work across healthcare, transportation, construction, technology, education, retail, hospitality, and many other industries.

Now, thousands face uncertainty because temporary protections are approaching expiration while immigration applications remain delayed.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allows nationals of countries affected by armed conflict or extraordinary conditions to temporarily remain and work in the United States. Ukraine was first designated for TPS in 2022 and redesignated in 2023, expanding eligibility to Ukrainians who arrived after the original designation, including many who entered through Uniting for Ukraine.

Ukraine’s current TPS designation expires October 19, 2026. We ask the Department of Homeland Security to extend TPS for Ukraine for 18 months and redesignate Ukraine, allowing eligible Ukrainians who entered the United States after the current TPS cutoff date to apply.

Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) provided a lawful humanitarian pathway for Ukrainians displaced by the war. Many Ukrainians have timely applied and paid the required fees for re-parole, yet applications have remained pending for months.

At the same time, delays in Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) — work permits that allow eligible individuals to legally work in the United States — threaten to remove productive employees from the workforce while their applications are still being processed.

These delays hurt Ukrainian families, American employers, and the U.S. economy. Workers lose income, businesses lose trained employees, and governments lose tax revenue.

We respectfully call on the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to:

1. Extend TPS for Ukraine for 18 months and redesignate Ukraine for TPS.

2. Expedite pending U4U re-parole applications and prevent unnecessary gaps caused by processing delays.

3. Expedite EAD applications and provide continuity of employment authorization for eligible Ukrainians who timely filed.

4. Provide clear guidance to employers and Ukrainian families regarding continued employment authorization while applications are pending.

Ukrainians came to the United States through lawful pathways, followed the rules, found work, paid taxes, supported their families, and became productive members of American communities.

The war is not over. Keeping Ukrainians legally working and self-sufficient while it continues protects families, supports American businesses, and strengthens the U.S. economy.

Sincerely,