In one of the articles the New York Times was mentioned the story of Galina Davydyuk, who was born and raised in the Ukrainian SSR. Her childhood had on the 70-80-ies of XX century and was not carefree: the girl humiliated by her classmates that she believed in God.
As a Pentecostal, she had to sit at the last Desk in the class — there it was transplanted to the teacher. For the same reason her father was put in prison.
Only at the end of may 2017 Galina together with the big family was able to move to the United States. Despite the fact that the Soviet Union collapsed almost 26 years ago, in modern Ukraine, according to Davydyuk, the Pentecostals are also difficult to find a job.
Moving her family in Vancouver (Washington) took place due to the»Lautenberg amendment». About it and speech will go.
A bit of history. In 1989, Frank Lautenberg, the Senator from new Jersey, has introduced in Congress an amendment to the act on external relations (Foreign Relations Authorization Act) in 1990 fiscal year.
The Senator’s proposal was designed to facilitate the refugee status of Soviet Jews (Jews), and representatives of other religious minorities persecuted in the Soviet Union, and immigrants from Southeast Asia.
«The Lautenberg amendment» was adopted, but its effect is extended for each following fiscal year.
In 2004, with the filing of Senator Arlen specter, the amendment has extended to religious minorities of Iran. But, according to the New York Times, in our days on this program in the United States immigrate mostly Evangelical Christians (90%). And the vast majority of Ukrainians.
And every year them becomes more and more. So, by August 2017, the status of religious refugees in the United States received around 4,000 Ukrainian citizens. (For comparison: in 2016 — 2 543 Ukrainians.)
Most emigrated from the Soviet Union of Evangelical Christians settles in the North-West of the USA. They get right to work, benefits, grants, health insurance, build their churches.
Can I become one of them? . But according to BOTH criteria (for citizens of post-Soviet States):
Do you represent religious minorities that were persecuted in the Soviet Union: a Jew (Jew), Evangelical Christians (e.g. Pentecostal, or Baptist), Ukrainian Catholic, a member of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.
N. B. For the Jews, it is sufficient that at least one of the parents — mother or father — was Jewish. The proof is the birth certificate issued prior to 1991, or another document, confirming this fact.
You have close relatives who permanently and legally reside in the United States. Who among them? Spouse, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, children, grandchildren. Cousins and sisters, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces are already «overboard».
But even if these criteria are like you «written off», it will have to prove to the American side, that your life is in danger or you are discriminated against for their religious views.
Your arguments are considered not so convincing? Well, even if the immigration authorities deny you refugee status, all is not lost.
The second part of «the Lautenberg amendment» provides for the status of «password» (parole) with which you have the right to come to the US and a year later apply for a green card. You need to find a sponsor because the financial assistance from the state you are not supposed to.
N. B. Those who have previously received refugee status but have not moved to the US a valid reason, are not eligible to re-apply for asylum.
What needs to be done to the applicant to start the immigration process:
To fill in a preliminary questionnaire (Preliminary Questionnaire) in English.
Attach a copy of the biographic information of the passport.
If neither the passport nor the time for its execution, will approach a copy of the internal passport.
Send all these documents to their relatives in the United States.
N. B. To obtain the questionnaire, contact the local branch of the International organization for migration. (Contact information can be found on the official website.)
That should make inviting a relative:
To obtain documents from the applicant.
Contact the nearest branch of the Agency for resettlement of refugeesto fill out an affidavit of relationship (Affidavit of Relationship).
Submit a copy of the document confirming legality of residence in the United States.
Rest of the details will have Agency. It will forward all documentation in a national Agency for resettlement. For example, a Society of Jewish immigrants (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) or the Conference of Catholic bishops of the United States (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops / Migration and Refugee Services).
After checking the documents «will move» to the International organization for migration, a branch of which the applicant’s home country will appoint him a meeting with the immigration officer at the U.S. Embassy.
The final verdict on the case will make the Service of citizenship and immigration USA. The decision to grant (or not grant) refugee status, the applicant will be known after the interview. In case of refusal you can appeal for reconsideration. It is 90 days.
How long will the whole procedure take
Each case is individual. For example, Galina Davydyuk it took 2 years to pass all the stages, from filling in the preliminary questionnaire and ending with moving to Vancouver with her husband, seven children and daughter-in-law.
By the way, the invitation she received from her sister Lily, who lives in the United States for 10 years, after moving there with the help of relatives of the spouse.
