The war in Ukraine has created chaos in eastern Europe and has tremendously disrupted the lives of Ukrainians, displacing millions. Over 7 million Ukrainians have crossed the border from Ukraine since the first Russian attack. Several nations, such as Britain and Poland, have offered help and housing to these Ukrainian refugees. Moreover, the European Union has granted Ukranians the right to stay, work, receive medical care, and access education in its 27 member states for up to three years.
The U.S. is also taking steps. The newly created Ukrainian-refugee program in America accepts refugees through various mechanisms, such as humanitarian parole with a dedicated U.S. supporter. The ultimate goal is to welcome 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also announced that Ukranians living in the United States already will be granted Temporary Protected Status, which makes them eligible for work authorization and freedom to leave the country and come back. The refugee-sponsorship program is unprecedented in the scope of its goal; it is “the largest sponsorship of refugees in decades,” according to the Niskanen Center.
The program provides refugees the opportunity to live in America for up to two years – a decision at the discretion of the Biden administration. If admitted, the refugees will be welcomed by American volunteers, who will help them integrate into our society and lifestyle. Advocates and scholars such as Niskanen Center’s Matthew La Corte have argued for a more-comprehensive program that provides long-term refugee resettlement. The intentions of the program would be to revitalize American communities, resettle refugees, foster robust engagement within the Ukrainian-American community, and spread fundamental American values.
There is ample evidence that refugees are also beneficial for the American economy and society. Refugees tend to complement the American job market instead of competing for other American jobs because they possess unique skill sets and knowledge. As a result, they can stimulate the economy by paying taxes, establishing businesses, and overall contributing to the marketplace. Refugees can also strengthen cross-cultural understanding by exposing Americans to shared values and beliefs. Moreover, they adopt many fundamental American values, such as freedom and tolerance, potentially acting as ambassadors of these values if they eventually return home.
Supporting Ukrainian refugees is important for defending the world against authoritarianism and illiberalism. While a direct military confrontation between the United States and Russia would be costly and prolonged, accepting refugees into the United States is a strong and more suitable way to promote freedom, democracy, and sovereignty. A more welcoming refugee policy would bolster our global reputation as stalwart protector of the free world. Contrary to the views of more isolationist critics, the American imperative for defending democracy on the world stage is crucial; an American withdrawal from the world would precipitate a vacuum that would invite more autocratic and oppressive hegemonic powers such as China and Russia to fill. Welcoming refugees who flee authoritarianism and oppression is the first step.