As the crisis in Ukraine continues to escalate, the world is witnessing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis unfolding in Eastern Europe. Many of those who are fleeing the conflict have found themselves suddenly displaced when just a week ago their daily routines were as regular and ‘normal’ as any other individual in a free country. This drastic shift in safety and security has led many to wonder what happens when someone seemingly becomes a refugee overnight? Let's take a look at this concept of what it means to be a refugee and what lies in store for those escaping now war-torn Ukraine.

What Is a Refugee?

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is an agency of the UN designed to protect and support displaced individuals. The UN Refugee Agency defines a refugee as an individual who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin for fear of prosecution due to discriminatory factors including their race, religion, nationality, or political affiliations. Often, refugees are families and individuals who have fled their homes because of war, violence, or other conflicts which threaten their life.

International law recognizes that refugees are a protected group of people. As such, they can seek support from the international community in times of a humanitarian crisis such as the one unfolding in Ukraine. Estimates from the UN Refugee Agency detail that there are over 26.4 million refugees around the globe.

Ukraine Refugee Crisis Largest in Recent History

As the crisis in Ukraine continues to deteriorate, the war against the country has displaced a historic number of families and individuals. The United Nations estimates that over 1.2 million people have flooded Ukraine so far as a result of Russia’s unprovoked attack on the nation. These numbers are roughly 2% of the country's total population. The number of individuals fleeing, primarily women and children, has been the most rapid migration since World War II.

Those fleeing have found themselves in the unprecedented position of leaving all their possessions behind and taking to the border with them nothing more than the clothes on their backs and perhaps a piece of luggage or two of personal belongings. As Ukrainians flee the country, many are shedding their belongings throughout their journey in order to make space on buses, trains, and other avenues of escape.

This historic and unprecedented mass migration has prompted neighboring countries and allies across the globe to step in with support. Poland has been leading the charge in taking in Ukrainian refugees and providing them with accommodations including meals, a place to stay, and a way to connect with their loved ones who have either been displaced or have stayed back in Ukraine.

The efforts have largely been prompted by non-profit organizations, organized community efforts, and government support. Hungary, Moldova, and Romania have also stepped in to aid in support. Recent numbers show that over the past week, Poland has taken in over half a million refugees, while Hungary has pulled in just under 200,000. As women and children continue to flee Ukraine, these numbers will likely continue to rise.

Under normal circumstances, refugees typically have to follow a set of rules or guidelines in order to gain entry into a different country under refugee status. Because of the escalating circumstances in Ukraine, many eastern European countries that are stepping in to help are waiving tight requirements. For example, the Czech Republic is offering refugees a special visa which would fast track their ability to gain legal employment as they begin their journey for a new life.

Refugee Support in America

Back here in the states, a set of rules and guidelines under United States law recognize and support refugees. In America, for an individual to claim refugee status, they must be located outside of the United States, fall in line with the definition of a refugee, be an individual of special humanitarian concern to the United States, and not be firmly settled in another country. The United States does not recognize as refugees anyone who has ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in persecuting another individual based on their religion, nationality, or another discriminatory factor.

Individuals who fall under refugee status must receive a referral from the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. This referral is the first step for being considered a refugee. Individuals must fill out the required form and include any dependents such as their spouse or unmarried children under 21 years of age.

Despite the urgency of the situation in Ukraine, there has not been any special announcement for fast-tracking refugees from Ukraine or Russia or giving them priority over individuals from other countries who are already in the process of applying for refugee status in the U.S. New York-based immigration attorney Scott Messinger points out that the United States government did announce Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine citizens already in the U.S. as of March First. “This will allow those granted TPS to remain in the US and obtain work permits,” says Messinger. “TPS is normally granted for 18 months,” he adds, “but it can be extended.”

Depending on where an individual is claiming refugee status, there may be different priority levels that the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program identifies. For example, Afghan nationals who are currently seeking refugee status in America can do so under three different priority groups. Each priority group caters to a specific type of circumstance afflicted upon the applying refugee.