WASHINGTON, D.C. — FWD.us Vice President of Advocacy Alida Garcia issued the following statement on reports that the Biden Administration will protect 100,000 Ukrainians forced to migrate because of the Russian invasion of their home country:

“The Biden Administration’s decision to welcome 100,000 Ukrainians forced to migrate because of the Russian invasion of their home country is welcomed news. This crisis requires a whole of government response, and reports of the Administration expanding all available legal avenues to help protect people fleeing this conflict highlight the urgency and commitment the President is bringing to the response. 

“A similar  response and urgency can and should be replicated in other regions experiencing significant forced migration, such as countries in Africa like Cameroon, and those across the Western Hemisphere, like Haiti and those in the Northern Triangle. Too often, we approach people who are forced to migrate to our own borders with a different level of urgency and humanity. America has the opportunity and capacity to lead the world in protecting people forced to migrate, and to dismantle the systems and policies that block too many people from accessing protection in the U.S. We applaud the Administration for taking the necessary and proactive steps to protect Ukrainains forced from their homes, and urge them to take a similar approach to others fleeing places that too often have been overlooked.”