The U.S. authorities have extended for Ukrainians the right to participate in the program, which allows people without visas and documents to temporarily stay and work in the country. This was reported by the New York Times.
The deadline for applying for the program (initially March 1) was extended by six weeks. According to the calculations of the authorities, this will double the number of Ukrainians who will be able to submit such an application.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Ukrainians who have been in the country since April 11 or earlier can apply for so-called Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which is responsible for the program, about 60,000 Ukrainians will be able to apply starting Tuesday.
The continuation of the program is due to delays in creating a legal channel for migrants heading to the United States.
Many Ukrainian refugees have flown to Mexico to apply for admission on humanitarian grounds at the U.S. border, where thousands have gathered.
Citizenship and Immigration Services stressed that Ukrainian migrants at the Mexican border would not be able to apply for TPS and warned them against trying to enter the United States without permission.
"Ukrainian citizens who are currently outside the United States are not eligible for the program and will not become eligible by moving to the United States in the coming weeks. But Ukrainians are advised to apply for a visa or other legal route to the U.S. Consulate abroad," according to Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Note that U.S. Border Patrol encountered 3,274 Ukrainian nationals at the U.S.-Mexico border in March, a 12-fold increase from a month earlier, the BBC reported, citing U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.
Most - about 62 percent - were traveling with a family member.