by Katie Patrick
Welcome to Nebraska! Since the early ‘90s, Catholic Social Services has welcomed refugee communities from all over the world as they make their home here in Nebraska.
Most recently, we have had the opportunity to welcome hundreds of Ukrainian refugees, though more accurately referred to as “humanitarian parolees.” This term has nothing to do with our justice system, but rather it indicates that an individual has been allowed or invited by the U.S. government to remain here temporarily, due to conflict or natural disaster in his or her home country.
Regardless of one’s specific immigration status, moving to a new country, whether temporarily or permanently, can be an overwhelming experience. During this time, our staff assists families with securing housing, setting up utilities, delivering donated furniture, enrolling children in school, and helping the adults find work.
CSS was blessed with the additional opportunity to employ two of the young Ukrainian men resettled by our agency! Meet Volodymyr and Mykola.
Thanks be to God, both of these young men, along with their wives and daughters, escaped the Russian invasion last spring. Volodymyr has experience managing large facilities and hotels, both in Ukraine and Poland, while Mykola was a Christian missionary in Ukraine. We’re so excited to have them as part of the Lincoln warehouse team! However, we have to navigate a rather large obstacle.
For those who enter the U.S. under refugee status, it allows them access to all necessary documentation and authorization for employment, such as Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses. For humanitarian parolees, however, a driver’s license in some states is unavailable.
The state of Nebraska is part of the Real ID Act, which means that those who have the status of “humanitarian parolee” are ineligible to receive a license. Afghans were in a similar situation a couple of years ago, but the law was amended at the federal level, allowing them access. This has yet to happen for Ukrainians. At CSS, we’re hopeful for the work being done at the Legislature to pass the Ukrainian Driving Privilege Card, introduced by Senator Brewer.
All Ukrainians, who have entered under the U.S. program, United for Ukraine, are eligible and eager to work. As of last month, CSS has welcomed more than 100 Ukrainians, helping all heads of household secure employment. Many of our clients work at local manufacturing plants, construction companies, auto shops, trucking companies, colleges and universities, and elsewhere.
We have one client, who is married and the father of three children. He works at a local manufacturing plant and relies on others, or on alternative ways to get to work. We have another client who is married and the father of two children, and works for a local construction company, and relies on others, or on alternative ways to get to work and to the grocery store. Yet another client, who is single and living with several other Ukrainian men, works for another company and relies on others or on alternative ways to get to work, the grocery store, and doctor appointments.
If Ukrainians cannot apply for and receive Nebraska driver’s licenses, it makes it difficult for them to fully integrate and establish their families in our communities. This legislative bill presents us with the unique opportunity to invite our new Ukrainian neighbors to join our workforce. In doing so, it affirms the dignity of every human person and the right to work.
If you happen to be on our schedule for a furniture donation pick up or a delivery, or if your school in Lincoln participates in our School Food Market program, you will most likely see the faces of our warehouse team, with John (of course) behind the wheel and Volodymyr and Mykola by his side. Thank you, as always, for your prayers and support for our mission! We are honored to serve all the people of the Diocese of Lincoln from wherever they may come! May God bless you!
