U.S. launching program to bring in Ukrainians fleeing conflict

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainians who fled to Mexico amid Russia's invasion of their homeland, walk with their belongings to cross the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry of the U.S.-Mexico border, in Tijuana, Mexico April 2, 2022. REUTERS/Jorge Duenes/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Biden administration is launching a program next week allowing Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion of their home country to come to the United States temporarily if they have American sponsors, U.S. officials said on Thursday.

The "humanitarian parole" program will offer qualifying Ukrainians the ability to stay in the United States for up to two years, one official said on a call with reporters. Unlike the U.S. refugee resettlement program, it does not provide a path to citizenship.