Updates on the Unfolding Situation in Ukraine

As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, Senator Merkley is focused on ensuring the safe evacuation of U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) of the United States and their eligible family members. Senator Merkley and his team are working directly with the State Department and other relevant agencies to process requests as quickly and efficiently as possible during this difficult time.

 

Helpful Resources:

 

U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) of the United States and their eligible family members who need assistance from Senator Merkley in safely evacuating Ukraine can submit a request for help on the Foreign Travel of Overseas Citizen Services page.

  

Updated 03/03/2022: DHS Secretary Mayorkas Designates Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months 

WASHINGTON— The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months.  

“Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “In these extraordinary times, we will continue to offer our support and protection to Ukrainian nationals in the United States.” 

A country may be designated for TPS when conditions in the country fall into one or more of the three statutory bases for designation: ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. This designation is based on both ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ukraine that prevent Ukrainian nationals, and those of no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine, from returning to Ukraine safely. These conditions result from the full-scale Russian military invasion into Ukraine, which marks the largest conventional military action in Europe since World War II. This invasion has caused a humanitarian crisis with significant numbers of individuals fleeing and damage to civilian infrastructure that has left nearly a million individuals without electricity or water or access to food, basic supplies, shelter, and emergency medical services.  

Individuals eligible for?TPS?under this designation?must have continuously resided in the United States since March 1, 2022. Individuals who attempt to travel to the United States after March 1, 2022, will not be eligible for TPS. Ukraine’s 18-month designation will go into effect on the publication date of the forthcoming Federal Register notice. The Federal Register notice will provide instructions for applying for TPS and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). TPS applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and undergo security and background checks. 

PRESS STATEMENT FROM DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY



Press Statement from the U.S. State Department, February 21, 2022

Today the Department of State is again taking action for the safety and security of U.S. citizens, including our personnel.  For security reasons, Department of State personnel currently in Lviv will spend the night in Poland.  Our personnel will regularly return to continue their diplomatic work in Ukraine and provide emergency consular services.  They will continue to support the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian government, coordinating on diplomatic efforts.  The United States’ commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s aggression is unwavering.  The fact that we are taking prudent precautions for the sake of the safety of U.S. government personnel and U.S. citizens, as we do regularly worldwide, in no way undermines our support for, or our commitment to, Ukraine.  Our commitment to Ukraine transcends any one location.

We strongly reiterate our recommendation to U.S. citizens to depart Ukraine immediately.  The security situation in Ukraine continues to be unpredictable throughout the country and may deteriorate with little notice.  There is a strong likelihood that any Russian military operations would severely restrict commercial air travel.  Russian troops have continued to move closer to the border in what looks like plans for an invasion at any moment.  There have been reports of increased ceasefire violations in Luhansk and Donetsk in recent days.  And Russia has ordered troops to deploy into the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine.  U.S. citizens who choose to remain in these areas despite our advice to depart Ukraine immediately should remain vigilant and alert to their surroundings.  In the event of an attack, U.S. citizens should seek shelter in a hardened structure and monitor major news outlets for guidance on when it is safe to move.

U.S. citizens seeking to depart Ukraine needing further information should communicate with the Department of State via our online assistance request form or call 1-833-741-2777 (in the United States) or 1-606-260-4379 (from overseas) for immediate assistance.  U.S. citizens planning to depart Ukraine should consult our guidance on how to cross land borders when departing Ukraine.  We have stationed support teams near the Ukrainian border in Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Moldova to provide assistance to U.S. citizens, and have opened a Welcome Center for U.S. citizens in Poland.

U.S. citizens can seek consular services at Embassies and Consulates in the region listed below, or any U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  Visit our United with Ukraine website for more information about U.S. government actions to support the Ukrainian government and people.

U.S. Embassy Poland: https://pl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

U.S. Embassy Hungary: https://hu.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

U.S. Embassy Romania: https://ro.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

U.S. Embassy Moldova: https://md.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

U.S. Embassy Czech Republic: https://cz.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

U.S. Embassy Slovakia: https://sk.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

U.S. Mission to Germany: https://de.usembassy.gov/services/

U.S. Embassy Lithuania: https://lt.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

U.S. Mission to the United Kingdom: https://uk.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

U.S. Mission to Turkey: https://tr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

U.S. Embassy Bulgaria: https://bg.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

Ukraine Travel Advisory from the U.S. State Department, February 12, 2022: Level 4: Do Not Travel

 

Do not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threats of Russian military action and COVID-19; those in Ukraine should depart immediately via commercial or private means. If remaining in Ukraine, exercise increased caution due to crime, civil unrest, and potential combat operations should Russia take military action. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

On February 12, 2022, the Department of State ordered the departure of most U.S. direct hire employees from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action. U.S. citizens should not travel to Ukraine, and those in Ukraine should depart immediately using commercial or other privately available transportation options. The Department previously authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. direct hire employees and ordered the departure of eligible family members on January 23, 2022.

 

As of Sunday, February 13, 2022, the Department of State will suspend consular services at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. The Embassy will maintain a small consular presence in Lviv, Ukraine to handle emergencies, but will not be able to provide passport, visa or routine consular services.  U.S. citizens may seek these services at U.S. Embassies in neighboring countries. U.S. citizens seeking emergency assistance in Ukraine should complete this online form and the State Department will respond.

U.S. citizens who decide to remain in Ukraine and who do not depart immediately as advised, should also complete this online form so that we may better communicate with you. 

 

There are continued reports of a Russian military build-up on the border with Ukraine, indicating potential for significant military action against Ukraine. The security conditions, particularly along Ukraine’s borders, in Russia-occupied Crimea, and in Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine, are unpredictable and can deteriorate with little notice. Demonstrations, which have turned violent at times, regularly occur throughout Ukraine, including in Kyiv.

U.S. citizens in Ukraine should be aware that the U.S. government will not be able to evacuate U.S. citizens in the event of Russian military action anywhere in Ukraine. Military action may commence at any time and without warning and would also severely impact the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including assistance to U.S. citizens in departing Ukraine.

 

For more information, please review what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas.

 

Read the full travel advisory on the State Department Website