An example of private sponsorship to bring in immigrants

In this case, to fill empty job positions, with Ukrainians here on humanitarian parole, which is valid for only two years. This case study show how parole admissions will almost certainly turn into permanent residency. From the Wall Street Journal:

Two years ago, Veselka, a Ukrainian diner in Manhattan’s East Village renowned for its pierogi, was so short on cooks and wait staff that owner Jason Birchard was ready to cut the restaurant’s hours and end table service.

Veselka’s owner has sponsored 10 Ukrainians, mostly extended family members of his existing employees, and eight now work at the restaurant.

Veselka owner Jason Birchard, in black shirt, is a third-generation Ukrainian American.

Then last year, the war in Ukraine broke out. The Biden administration launched a program to sponsor Ukrainian refugees to live and work temporarily in the U.S. Birchard, who is third-generation Ukrainian American, immediately looked into the new program. He said he thought it was the right thing to do to bring Ukrainians to safety, but also hoped he could find some new cooks.

Since then, Birchard has sponsored 10 Ukrainians, mostly extended family members of his existing employees, and eight now work at his restaurant. “One of my biggest challenges postpandemic was hiring. Not so anymore,” he said. “It’s been a win-win for me.”

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