New Bill Proposes 'Ukrainian Guest Status' and Work Permits for U4U Parolees, Tied to End of Hostilities

This bill, the "Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act," aims to create a specific temporary legal status called "Ukrainian guest status" for certain Ukrainians already in the U.S. Specifically, it applies to individuals paroled into the country under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program announced back on April 21, 2022. If enacted, this status would be granted retroactively from their parole date and automatically include authorization to work legally in the U.S.

Who Gets In, Who's Left Out?

The key definition here is "eligible alien," which Section 2 strictly limits to those who came through the official U4U parole process. This means if you're Ukrainian but entered the U.S. differently – maybe on a visa you overstayed, or through another parole mechanism – this particular bill wouldn't apply to you. It's specifically tailored to formalize the situation for those admitted under that specific U4U pathway.

Working and Waiting: The Guest Status Lowdown

For those who qualify, Section 3 provides two main things: official temporary legal status and the right to work. This offers more stability than parole alone, which can be more ambiguous. However, this status isn't permanent. It's designed to last until 120 days after the Secretary of State officially determines that hostilities in Ukraine have ended and conditions allow for civilians to return safely. This setup creates a degree of uncertainty, making long-term planning – like signing a lease, committing to a job long-term, or settling kids in school – potentially tricky, as the end date depends on a future, unspecified determination.

The Fine Print: Security Checks and Expiration Dates

The bill also includes standard safeguards. Section 3 gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to revoke this guest status if an individual is deemed a security risk, using the definition found in the Immigration and Nationality Act (section 241(b)(3)(B)). Once the Secretary of State makes the determination about Ukraine being safe for return, the clock starts: individuals under this status would have 120 days before it expires. The bill doesn't specify what happens after those 120 days, leaving questions about pathways to other statuses or requirements to depart.