The Biden administration is prepared to launch a new programme for Ukrainian refugees that will speed the process for individuals attempting to enter the United States, according to two administration officials, reported CNN.

The programme follows US President Joe Biden’s pledge to admit up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees through a variety of legal channels, with a focus on family reunification. More than two weeks after the announcement, the administration has neglected to give any details, and hundreds of Ukrainians have decided to travel to the US-Mexico border to gain entrance.

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The new parole programme, which may begin as soon as next week, is expected to assist people who want to come to the United States and stay for a limited time. Individuals would need to have a sponsorship application filled out on their behalf, according to one administration official, in order to come to the United States. The plan’s specifics were still being worked out.

According to the administration official, the effort involves the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security. The strategy is identical to that used with Afghans following the fall of Kabul.

According to a person familiar with the negotiations, since Biden declared last month that he would welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians, authorities have been debating how to prioritise applicants, including how to accommodate refugees facing potential persecution.

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According to one official, the White House is focusing on protecting vulnerable refugees, such as those with special medical needs or persons from other countries who have already gone to Ukraine to avoid persecution elsewhere, such as dissidents, journalists, and LGBTQ people.

Since the declaration, administration officials have been discussing the policy process, including which method persons fleeing Ukraine could use to travel to the United States.

Nonetheless, Biden’s advisers believe that the majority of the more than 4 million people who have fled Ukraine would choose to stay in the region rather than migrate to the US.

According to an individual, the 100,000 figure Biden announced when visiting Brussels in March does not necessarily reflect the number of refugees US officials estimate would eventually seek entry into the US.

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The US has donated billions of dollars in humanitarian relief to Ukraine’s neighbours, including Poland, where Biden met with refugees and aid workers last month.

On Monday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi met with National Security Council officials at the White House to address Europe’s refugee problem. On Tuesday, he also met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.