Image Description: the Ukrainian flag, with its blue and yellow color, as a paint stroke on a white background
NAFSA Stands with Ukraine
Source: Nafsa.org
"As you know, our worst fears have been realized and Ukraine is now under siege. As NAFSA executive director and CEO Esther Brimmer, DPhil. conveyed in a statement, “We share the world’s outrage over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and feel deeply for all who are caught in the crossfire and those with ties to the region. This is a shameful act of aggression, and our thoughts are with all who will be forced to bear the cost of this war with their lives and livelihoods. This violence is in direct opposition to what NAFSA stands for: a peaceful, just, and globally connected world, and the improvement of democratic institutions. We will continue to advocate for affected international students and scholars, and we affirm the importance of international education as a force to foster understanding and respect among people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.”
As we have done in the past when violence and unrest gripped Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar, NAFSA will push the Biden Administration to designate Ukraine for temporary protected status or deferred enforcement departure and to provide special student relief to Ukrainian students and scholars now in the U.S. We joined 170+ organizations in a coalition letter on February 25 to that effect.
NAFSA has also compiled a list of immigration-related immigration resources relevant to Ukrainian students and scholars in and outside of the U.S. This includes an update on consular services in Kyiv and the recently announced National Interest Exemption that will allow travelers from Ukraine some flexibility in entering the U.S.
We will keep you posted.
Peace,
Erica
Erica Stewart
Senior Director, Advocacy & Strategic Communications
NAFSA: Association of International Educators