I have a little (quite a bit) complicated situation.
In the summer of 2022 I, a green card holder, brought my parents to the US via the Uniting for Ukraine program. They were admitted until summer 2024.
My parents are both 70+, don't speak English, and don't drive (we live in a car-dependent area in NY state).
As Humanitarian Parolees, they are eligible for public benefits, such as SNAP, Medicaid, and SSI (about $400 per person).
They became eligible to apply for TPS at some point last year, which would allow them to stay in the US until 2025, so I filled out the applications for them and their TPS is currently being processed (wait time is ~ 4 months). However, as far as I know, people with TPS status are not eligible to receive any benefits. Now, less than two weeks ago, USCIS announced that Ukrainians are eligible for re-parole, which will be processed on a case-to-case basis. This will allow Ukrainians to stay in the country until 2026. Which I am going to try to apply them for as well, as there's no end in sight to the war in Ukraine.
Here's my conundrum. This year I became a citizen (the whole process took 4 months), so now I can reunite with my parents and apply for a green card for them. As a sponsor, I believe I would have to take full financial responsibility for them so they don't become a "public charge". Unfortunately, my income won't allow for it. I work full time and I have a half-decent job, and I don't receive any public benefits myself. But after paying all essentials, debt, and bills, I am left with nothing. I am studying for a career change, but that might not be able to take off for another few years, so currently, it is what it is. I am wondering if there are any exceptions to situations like this and if there's a way for them to keep their benefits for now.
