How to become a sponsor for the Uniting for Ukraine Program

What is a sponsor under the Uniting for Ukraine program?

A sponsor is a person in the U.S. who volunteers to support one or more Ukrainian beneficiaries in the U.S. under the Uniting for Ukraine(U4U) program and submits the official USCIS paperwork to qualify for this role. Sponsors may also act as the hosts until the Ukrainian is able to live independently.

Who can become a sponsor?

• U.S. citizens and nationals;
• Lawful permanent residents, lawful temporary residents, and conditional permanent residents;
• Nonimmigrants in lawful status (that is, who maintain the nonimmigrant status and have not violated any of the terms or conditions of the nonimmigrant status);
• Asylees, refugees, and parolees;
• Temporary Protective Status holders; and
• Beneficiaries of deferred action (including DACA) or Deferred Enforced Departure.

What is the role of the sponsor?

Sponsors can decide for themselves the extent of support they are able or willing to provide. Support can range from only submitting the USCIS paperwork (Form I-134 Declaration of Financial Support) as a Paper Sponsor, to providing housing, transportation and helping with necessary paperwork, etc. Even though sponsors have no obligation to host a Ukrainian beneficiary in their home or to provide financial assistance for those refugees who can secure their own housing and do not require financial support, Form I-134 asks the sponsor to describe where their beneficiaries will be staying, and how they are going to assist them with necessary paperwork or whether they intend to make specific financial contributions. In cases where the sponsor can’t provide accommodation, Ukrainenow.org volunteers can help to find hosts and connect sponsors with only those refugees who have confirmed housing arrangements. Ukrainenow.org can also help to find volunteers to assist refugees with their paperwork for benefit programs.

What income level is required to become a sponsor?

Sponsors must meet 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines income level for their household size.

Does a sponsor have any legal liability for the beneficiary?

There may be questions regarding any legal or financial responsibility of the sponsor for the beneficiary.  Here is a link which helps to explain this issue.