Carrington unites for Ukraine

From the center of war to the Central City. Carrington officials have approved a grant program that provides support for residents who want to sponsor Ukrainian citizens fleeing Russia's invasion of their country.

The Carrington City Council approved the financial incentive program at their April 8 meeting.

Carrington's efforts are part of a federal program called Uniting for Ukraine, administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for Ukraine citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily for a two-year period. Ukrainians participating in Uniting for Ukraine must have a sponsor/supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States.

Grant funds from the city's economic development fund will provide reimbursement to the sponsor(s) for each individual, up to $2,500 for the first adult, $2,000 for a second adult/spouse and $1,000 for each child under 18.

The program also provides a stipend for travel expenses in the event the Ukrainian participants are not able to cover their own, at 50 percent of the cost not to exceed $600 per individual. The maximum grant award is $7,500 per application.

This is one way the city has sought to ease the workforce shortages that have persisted for more than a decade, while also extending a helping hand to Ukrainians seeking to escape the wartime conditions in their country.

"With all the job openings we have, particularly in the construction and service industries, we want to be able to fill some of them," said Laurie Dietz, director of the Carrington Chamber and Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC).

This is a longer term solution than other temporary programs such as the work visa, which is typically seasonal. The beneficiaries can even choose to stay after the two-year "parole" period has ended through a newly-created "re-parole" process. Applications will be considered on "a discretionary, case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit," according to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services email announcement.

Carrington's participation in the Uniting for Ukraine program came about through the city's connection with a statewide organization known as CATCH, or Communities Acting Together for Change and Hope, established in 2022.

Mayor Tom Erdmann is a board member for the organization, which is currently led by Bowdon native Bill Patrie. One of the things they are working on is helping Ukrainian citizens come to North Dakota for a better life.

The organization's president, Tom Graner, added that CATCH is aware of the significance of legal immigration already at work in North Dakota. According to Graner, there are already over 500 Ukrainians sponsored in North Dakota through humanitarian parole programs.

Potential sponsors can find Ukrainian families to support through CATCH. There is also a new state immigration office in Bismarck that is getting up and running.

In addition, Glenfield-area farmer and rancher Lanell Stedman has brought people from other countries to work on their farm and has offered to help sponsors through the process.

"I am in contact with many Ukrainians who are looking to come to the USA and now I am in the process of locating individuals who would like to provide employment in their field of experience or any area of work if they choose," Stedman said. "We need to help them be safe and live a quieter life as well as help with our workforce shortage in America. I believe this is a two-way street, so reach out, and let's work together for the better of all."

Each Ukrainian citizen participating in the program must have at least one sponsor. The city's grant for reimbursement is paid to the sponsor/supporter and requires the sponsor/supporter to have completed and receive approval under the terms of USCIS form I-134A (Request to be a sponsor/supporter and declaration of financial support).

Any resident can become a sponsor through the program and apply for funds through the CCEDC. Examples of the types of support for beneficiaries that supporters should be prepared to offer include:

• Receiving the beneficiary upon arrival in the United States and transporting them to initial housing;

• Ensuring that the beneficiary has safe and appropriate housing for the duration of their parole and initial basic necessities;

• As appropriate, helping the beneficiary complete necessary paperwork, such as employment forms and rental applications

• Ensuring that the beneficiary's health care and medical needs are met for the duration of the parole; and

• As appropriate, assisting the beneficiary with accessing education, learning English, securing employment and enrolling children in school.

Supporters must include the name of the beneficiary on Form I-134A. Supporters may not file a Form I-134A on behalf of an unnamed beneficiary. A supporter may agree to support more than one beneficiary, such as for different members of a family group, but must file a separate Form I-134A for each beneficiary.

Guidelines and forms for the City of Carrington's grant program are available on the CCEDC's website, https://carringtonccedc.com/development/.

For complete USCIS program guidelines, go to https://www.uscis.gov/ukraine.