Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2118
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-14: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:55:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to grant temporary legal status to certain Ukrainian nationals who entered the U.S. under a specific humanitarian parole program, allowing them to remain and work legally until conditions in Ukraine improve. This provides stability for those affected by the ongoing conflict without granting permanent residency.
Key Provisions
- Eligibility: Applies to "eligible aliens," defined as individuals who were paroled into the U.S. under the Uniting for Ukraine program announced on April 21, 2022. (Parole here means temporary permission to enter the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasons.)
- Grant of Status: These individuals are automatically considered "admitted" to the U.S. in "Ukrainian guest status" starting from their initial parole date, overriding other immigration rules.
- Employment Rights: Holders of this status can work legally in the U.S. for the entire duration without needing a separate work permit.
- Duration and End: The status expires 120 days after the Secretary of State certifies that fighting in Ukraine has stopped and it's safe for civilians to return.
- Revocation: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can revoke status if the individual poses a security threat, such as being involved in persecution or terrorism (based on existing immigration law criteria).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Shifts paroled Ukrainians from temporary, revocable parole to a more stable "admitted" status, which offers stronger legal protections against deportation during the status period.
- Automatically provides work authorization, eliminating the need for separate applications that often involve delays and fees under current immigration rules.
- Introduces a new, conflict-specific status tied to U.S. foreign policy assessments of Ukraine, rather than relying solely on standard parole extensions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DHS gains authority to manage and revoke statuses, increasing administrative workload for tracking thousands of individuals. The State Department must monitor Ukraine's situation and issue certifications, potentially influencing U.S. foreign aid and diplomacy.
- On Citizens and Residents: Ukrainian guests can integrate more easily into the workforce, benefiting employers needing labor and local economies, but may strain public resources like housing or social services if numbers are high.
- On International Relations: Signals U.S. support for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia, potentially strengthening alliances but drawing criticism from those viewing it as preferential immigration treatment.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary Beneficiaries: Eligible Ukrainians (estimated tens of thousands paroled since 2022) who gain temporary security and work rights.
- Government Entities: DHS (handles status and revocations) and State Department (determines expiration).
- Employers and Communities: Businesses that hire these workers; local areas hosting Ukrainian families.
- Broader Immigration System: Other parolees or asylum seekers may see this as a model or precedent for similar programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with the Immigration and Nationality Act by building on existing parole authority but creates a tailored pathway that could face court challenges if seen as bypassing standard visa processes. Revocation ties into anti-terrorism laws, ensuring national security checks.
- Constitutional: Falls under Congress's plenary power over immigration, a well-established authority, without raising clear due process issues since it grants rather than restricts rights.
- Political: Represents bipartisan humanitarian effort (introduced by Republicans and Democrats) in response to Russia's 2022 invasion, but could spark debates on immigration equity, with critics arguing it favors one nationality over others in global crises.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Cosponsors (12)
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-14: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (3 pages)