As the war in Ukraine rages on, Ukrainian refugees in Nebraska wonder what their future holds. At least a few hundred people celebrated the country’s independence day at a park in Elkhorn on Sunday. It marked the 34th anniversary of Ukraine declaring its independence from the Soviet Union.For many, it’s the third time they’ve spent the holiday in the U.S. after fleeing the war. Now some have seen their work permits lapse, including Alex Halanin. He says he hasn’t received word on paperwork he filed back in February. Because of the permit’s expiration, he was forced to leave his job at Kawasaki in Lincoln last week. Nebraska Ukrainian community, advocates react to historic Trump-Putin summitHis lawyers say he’s free to stay in the U.S., but he can’t work, and he’s wondering how he’ll pay the bills.”We’re trying to fill in some of the gaps and make sure that these people don’t become homeless while they’re waiting on our government to process applications,” said Amanda Hall, who founded Orel Alliance.The Omaha organization is accepting donations to support the local Ukrainian community.Hall said about 1,000 people who fled the war live in the Omaha area, and another 1,500 live in Lincoln.After three years in Elkhorn, the Bielov family is comfortable here. Nikita Bielov just started high school at Elkhorn High.”It was pretty hard at first when we didn’t know English, ” the freshman told KETV, “then I learned English. Now I’ve got friends, joined a soccer team.”But the family’s future here isn’t clear. “We cannot make decisions for our future,” said Nikita’s mom Natalia, through Nikita’s translation.She said they have another year in the U.S. secured. But they’ve waited for half a year and haven’t heard anything about whether that will be extended.Natalia said she is desperate to make sure her youngest daughter, who was born in the U.S., does not experience the war like her other children did.Many at the event argued that the need for favorable decisions on immigration status from the government is just as much economic as it is humanitarian.”They want to work,” said Nikolay Onishchuck, a U.S. citizen who moved from Ukraine in 2003.He employs three Ukrainian refugees.”They’re not asking for any help. They want to work and they pay taxes,” he said. NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
As the war in Ukraine rages on, Ukrainian refugees in Nebraska wonder what their future holds.
At least a few hundred people celebrated the country’s independence day at a park in Elkhorn on Sunday. It marked the 34th anniversary of Ukraine declaring its independence from the Soviet Union.
For many, it’s the third time they’ve spent the holiday in the U.S. after fleeing the war.
Now some have seen their work permits lapse, including Alex Halanin. He says he hasn’t received word on paperwork he filed back in February. Because of the permit’s expiration, he was forced to leave his job at Kawasaki in Lincoln last week.
Nebraska Ukrainian community, advocates react to historic Trump-Putin summit
His lawyers say he’s free to stay in the U.S., but he can’t work, and he’s wondering how he’ll pay the bills.
“We’re trying to fill in some of the gaps and make sure that these people don’t become homeless while they’re waiting on our government to process applications,” said Amanda Hall, who founded Orel Alliance.
The Omaha organization is accepting donations to support the local Ukrainian community.
Hall said about 1,000 people who fled the war live in the Omaha area, and another 1,500 live in Lincoln.
After three years in Elkhorn, the Bielov family is comfortable here. Nikita Bielov just started high school at Elkhorn High.
“It was pretty hard at first when we didn’t know English, ” the freshman told KETV, “then I learned English. Now I’ve got friends, joined a soccer team.”
But the family’s future here isn’t clear.
“We cannot make decisions for our future,” said Nikita’s mom Natalia, through Nikita’s translation.
She said they have another year in the U.S. secured. But they’ve waited for half a year and haven’t heard anything about whether that will be extended.
Natalia said she is desperate to make sure her youngest daughter, who was born in the U.S., does not experience the war like her other children did.
Many at the event argued that the need for favorable decisions on immigration status from the government is just as much economic as it is humanitarian.
“They want to work,” said Nikolay Onishchuck, a U.S. citizen who moved from Ukraine in 2003.
He employs three Ukrainian refugees.
“They’re not asking for any help. They want to work and they pay taxes,” he said.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |