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Shop NowThe White House has announced that the United States will accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing from the war, in addition to a new contribution of $1 billion in humanitarian aid. Millions of Ukrainians have fled from their homes amid the Russian invasion, with huge numbers traveling to NATO countries in Eastern Europe. These countries have begun to raise concerns about their ability to support the tidal wave of refugees without additional help.
Ukrainian refugees to be accepted gradually
In addition to millions of internally displaced people, more than 3.5 million Ukrainians have fled the country since the invasion started.
A small number of these have gone east to Russia, where many have friends and relatives. Most, understandably, have chosen to go west and seek the safety of Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia, or Romania.
Citizens of these countries have overwhelmingly mobilized to help the refugees in any way they can, and their governments have been equally open to helping their displaced neighbors.
Public approval for taking in Ukrainians is very widespread, but such a massive influx of people is putting an enormous strain on their hosts and many expect the West to do its part.
The United States and the United Kingdom have been somewhat more hesitant about accepting Ukrainians, but the Biden administration has finally agreed to take a maximum of 100,000.
Those with family members in the United States will be prioritized and the rest will be brought to America gradually, rather than in one sudden move.
Most to remain in Europe
There has been noticeably more hesitation in Washington D.C. about accepting Ukrainians than there generally is about admitting anyone who comes to the southern border.
In theory, Americans can be much less concerned about the implications of welcoming the Ukrainians. These are, after all, genuine refugees as opposed to economic migrants taking advantage of overly generous policies.
The vast majority are women and children, as fighting aged men are currently forbidden from leaving the country. They are Europeans and most are Christians, so culture clash fears that have existed with Syrian or Afghan refugees should not be a major concern.
Most will eventually wish to return to their homeland; in fact, most are expected to prefer remaining in Europe rather than traveling too far from their own country.
Taking in even 100,000 of the millions who have fled will be expensive, but the United States can afford to do so much more easily than smaller countries in Eastern Europe that have already committed to helping.
It is difficult to predict how much worse the refugee crisis might become with the fierce fighting in Ukraine still ongoing, but for at least some Ukrainians there will now be an opportunity to find safety in the United States.
