March 24, 2022

International Institute of Los Angeles applauds today’s announcement that the United States will welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians and others fleeing the Russian invasion. While the government believes that the vast majority of Ukrainians will choose to remain in Europe, we are expecting that some Ukrainians will eventually arrive here in the U.S.

IILA is standing by and awaiting further guidance from our federal partners on what legal pathways will be available to these refugees and the role that resettlement agencies will play.

Whether it is through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, granting humanitarian parole (like with many evacuated Afghans in the past several months), connecting refugees who have family in the U.S., or another legal pathway, IILA is prepared to support those who arrive in Southern California. 

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 3.6 million Ukrainian refugees have fled the country as of March 23.

Today’s announcement from the White House: FACT SHEET: The Biden Administration Announces New Humanitarian, Development, and Democracy Assistance to Ukraine and the Surrounding Region

IILA’s Act Now for Ukraine resources page.