Ask HN: Perspectives for Ukrainian programmer coming to US as a war refugee?

25 points by arifmeticus 3 years ago | 12 comments

Hello,

I'm from Ukraine and my town Mariupol has been destroyed. I escaped to Russia and now I'm looking for a place to live and rebuild my life. A good friend agreed to sponsor me and my parents via a Uniting for Ukraine program, so that we can come and stay in US for 2 years that the program covers. I don't have wife or kids, and my brother is currently in a different city. I'm 34.

Considering that USA has huge tech market, it seems like a great proposition career wise, plus I know English already. But I worry about perspectives of such move. Will companies want to hire me knowing that my status is temporary and quite short at that (2 years)? Even if company likes me and is ready to propose a work visa it looks like there is a high chance that I don't get the visa. Then what, the end? I go home (to the ruins of it) at the end of 2 years? Is there a path towards longer-term US residence?

Plus, I worry about EAD work authorization with wait times around 6-9 months, which will make it difficult to sustain ourselves during that time. I'm not very clear about possible government assistance and the extend of it. Some of my friends say that going to US is not worth it in my circumstances, and some say that it's easier to figure things out being there and that 'you'll find the way', like build a case for different immigration status or marry, heh. I'm pretty sad and overwhelmed due to the war and my circumstances, I'm looking everywhere, so I wanted to ask HN opinion about perspectives of going to US to try and build new life there.

Michael

satya71 3 years ago |

Immigration in the US is not easy, however USCIS has made some recent improvements specifically for citizens of Ukraine. The Uniting for Ukraine is a "parole" program. So you won't have any immigration status. It does come with the ability to get work authorization, and it's been made online recently. Those usually go quicker, but I don't know how long those are taking. Until then you'll probably have make do with passive income, sponsor support, or your own means.

There is no path to immigration from parole, but you can certainly try for some kind of status or immigration to another country. Hopefully at the end of the 2 years, Ukraine will once again be a safe country. In that case, you'd probably have to go back. If, God forbid, it's not, US will probably extend parole or grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Ukrainians in the US. But there's no guarantee.

Hope this helps.

arifmeticus 3 years ago | |

Thank you for the breakdown!

csomar 3 years ago |

You forgot to mention if you are going alone, have a wife/kids/family, your age, the status of your dependents, your current situation in Russia, etc...

If you are alone, don't worry. There are enough jobs in the US if you know what you are doing. It might be rough the first few months, but nothing worse than what you'd have already gone through.

I'd worry less about the 2-year, EAD and whatever. Just get your foot in the door and things will go from there.

arifmeticus 3 years ago | |

"Just get your foot in the door and things will go from there." I've heard such argument and it is optimistic and hopeful, but immigration status needs some basis to acquire. I wonder about perspectives of legally staying and working beyond 2 years of temporary protection (I believe tech firms don't employ undocumented engineers).

csomar 3 years ago | | |

It is easier to acquire such status once you are inside. Governments have a hard time getting people out than refusing their entry before they board from their destination. Doesn't mean it can't happen, but the odds are less likely.

This is really a comparison of what you have now in Russia vs. how it could be in the US. If the Russia government was about to make life bad for every Ukrainian inside the country, would you really ask this question.

The only thing that could make a US transition hard is your parents. Usually, what people do is they go first and then bring their parents/wife/etc... because nobody knows how it will turn out. I don't know if this is possible in your case, though.

arifmeticus 3 years ago | |

Hi, thanks for your reply, I'm with my parents (they are 70) and no wife or kids. I'm 34. I'm staying currently in a flat of my Russian acquaintance, but I'd like to move soon.