Ukrainian Migrants Find Easier Path to Enter U.S. at the Mexican Border

[millefleur 5,047]

35 minutes ago, Boiler said:

The NGOs were in force and seemed to have everything covered

It's great to hear but the lack of official info about this from CBP, USCIS or DoS still infuriates me. It's like this is the actual "shadow government"/backdoor policy that people say doesn't exist.

[Family 4,065]

The attached link  from DHS I believe meets all the criteria for official info , including the  fact that Humanitarian Parole will be extended to Ukrainians . It is based on that that they do not go through the Asylum seeker process for others camped out at the border. …and no back door conspiracy.

[Family 4,065]

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2022/03/31/fact-sheet-dhs-efforts-assist-ukrainian-nationals
 
DHS Factsheet 

[millefleur 5,047]

1 minute ago, Family said:

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2022/03/31/fact-sheet-dhs-efforts-assist-ukrainian-nationals
 
DHS Factsheet 

OK that's the first time I've seen that. I did not see it posted on the Embassy site, DoS or USCIS site.

 

I don't know why they would not share that info more widely. Where did you manage to find that link?

[Family 4,065]

This one I simply Googled because I think my link from yesterday may have been removed…or had issues with uploading ( was a well prepared power point w links to dos/Uscis and other helpful sites) .

[Boiler 45,733]

To be fair it does not add anything more than we knew a month ago

 

From the CNN report they were paroling all Ukrainians in now, may have been different  a few weeks ago

 

Sounds like this 100,000 is it’s own specific program but what that might look like who knows 

[Ray & Julia 13]

Hi everyone, hopefully this helps somebody. 

- Filled 129F in July 2021, approved to expedite on March 2, RFEI mailed out March 31st ( still haven't received it in the mail). 

 

After receiving the RFE, we lost a hope in k1 and decided to try crossing Mexico - US. We've got last minute flights: Poland > Barcelona , Barcelona > Mexico City, Mexico City > Mexicali. ( 3 separate tickets, total cost ~ $1700 pp, soooo expensive because we booked a day before the first flight).

Arriving to Mexico city was seamless, however, extremely slow, make sure you have enough time if you are connecting. Visa for Ukrainians fills electronically, be sure to print it. That's all that we've been asked besides arrival forms.

We've spent a night in the hotel right in the airport and flew to Mexicali next morning. While boarding we were taken aside and questioned where we are staying in Mexicali, the reason to come there ( toursim), our relationship to each other and info about me ( US citizen). In Mexicali, again, we were taken and somewhat rudely questioned by Mexican officers. I've heard from other folks that some officers do that so that they can blackmail you and get some cash as a bribe. In our case everything went fine, they just took pictures of our passports. Once cleared, we've tried to order an Uber to the Calexico pedestrian crossing, however, no uber was available. We went inside and got an official taxi for 300 pesos which isn't that bad considering it takes about 30 min driving there.

We arrived to the border and went to the general line. W didn't know that there is a separate line for Ukrainians - we saw a family came to the Mexican guard at the entrance and were let separately in. So did we and my fiancee was taken inside while I took all luggage and crossed the border in the general line.

We arrived around noon and my fiancee entered the US with a stamp around 6.30PM. She said the line was chaotic with no particular order and the officer was a bit rude to her. Important to mention that there is no bathroom inside, as well as no food or drinks. You can ask to leave to Mexico and enter the line again however you can miss your turn while you out. We got food and drinks in the morning at the airport and i also gave my phone to my fiancee so she had the internet to communicate.

Very important! Calexico ( the US side of Mexicali) is far far away from all major airports, unless you have somebody to pick you up I don't recommend crossing there as it will be either expensive or time-consuming to get out. I didn't have the internet while waiting ( took my fiancee's phone with Polish sim card), so I went to the Jack in the box across the street, reserved a car rental and arranged an uber ~ $35 to IPL airport. The area near the border is very scatchy, so be very careful. I've spent most waiting on the Walmart parking lot (10 min away from the crossing) for wifi. Happy to say, we are in San Diego now! 

Was it worth it? yes, and yes -  I love my fiancee and didn't want to be separated in such tough times. Will i recommend the same path? Probably no, it appears that people have less problems while arriving to Tijuana as there are volunteers helping with everything and police at the airport dont' stop Ukrainians. However the current wait is about 3 days ( can be spent in a hotel while you wait. At least from what I've been reading in Telegram channels.) and it's also going to be easy to move around once in the US. 

Good luck everyone! 

 

 

 

Edited April 8, 2022 by Ray & Julia

[millefleur 5,047]

Recent article sheds some light:

U.S. speeds entry for Ukrainians as more reach Mexico border

TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — The United States has sharply increased the number of Ukrainians admitted to the country at the Mexican border as even more refugees fleeing the Russian invasion follow the same circuitous route.

 

A government recreation center in the Mexican border city of Tijuana grew to about 1,000 refugees Thursday, according to city officials. A canopy under which children played soccer only two days earlier was packed with people in rows of chairs and lined with bunk beds.

 

Tijuana has suddenly become a final stop for Ukrainians seeking refuge in the United States, where they are drawn by friends and families ready to host them and are convinced the U.S. will be a more suitable haven than Europe.

 

Read more: https://www.borderreport.com/regions/california/u-s-speeds-entry-for-ukrainians-as-more-reach-mexico-border/

 

The part about humanitarian parole at airports for Afghans is interesting. So, essentially Afghans can get paroled at US airports and are given 2 years, whereas Ukrainians are currently not being paroled at airports and are given 1 year but only at the Mexican border. Not really sure what the logic behind that is.

Edited April 8, 2022 by millefleur

[Boiler 45,733]

They NPR just now said about 1000 a day are coming in through Tijuana and it is a 2 to 3  day wait

 

 

[nick050183 9]

What about Canada?

 

Can you enter through Canada instead of Mexico? It's not that hard for Ukrainians to get visa's for Canada right now. I imagine the Border crossing is far less hectic compared to Mexico. Also the place is much safer. 

[millefleur 5,047]

8 hours ago, nick050183 said:

What about Canada?

 

Can you enter through Canada instead of Mexico? It's not that hard for Ukrainians to get visa's for Canada right now. I imagine the Border crossing is far less hectic compared to Mexico. Also the place is much safer. 

Worth trying, I just haven't seen any reports or cases here where anyone had done it. It may be an issue to get into Canada if one is not fully vaccinated?

[Boiler 45,733]

I would expect it depends on the basis you are seeking entry

[Ray & Julia 13]

13 hours ago, nick050183 said:

What about Canada?

 

Can you enter through Canada instead of Mexico? It's not that hard for Ukrainians to get visa's for Canada right now. I imagine the Border crossing is far less hectic compared to Mexico. Also the place is much safer. 

Our friends were let in through Niagara Falls pedestrian bridge. However, they were heavily questioned why they don't stay in Canada which let them in on an emergency visa. I've also read in telegram that some people were turned away. 

[Boiler 45,733]

1 minute ago, Ray & Julia said:

Our friends were let in through Niagara Falls pedestrian bridge. However, they were heavily questioned why they don't stay in Canada which let them in on an emergency visa. I've also read in telegram that some people were turned away. 

On what basis were they let in? 

[Ray & Julia 13]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

On what basis were they let in? 

Humanitarian parole as well