Ukrainian refugees expected to come to Pittsburgh, despite backlog, local agencies say

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(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2022/03/06/immigrants-ukraine-immigration-jewish-family-and-community-services/stories/202203030159

Natalya Shisman remembers the image of her mother, a respected engineer in Ukraine, sleeping on a park bench in Italy. The woman who held multiple degrees and lived in the northeastern city of Kharkiv was now homeless, negotiating with street criminals for protection throughout the night. In a nearby church, her two daughters slept safely.

Ms. Shishman, 38, recalls little else from 1989, the year the Soviet Union dissolved and the concept of home became elusive. Months of traversing across European borders would, by way of a refugee resettlement agency, lead to relocation in Pittsburgh.

As a reported 1 million Ukrainians are now fleeing the country as a result of the Russian invasion that began last month, some lawmakers and the public are calling for the United States to take in refugees from the crisis. Like the Shishmans decades ago, Ukrainians could again find a home in Western Pennsylvania.

Immigration experts say it could be months before decisions by the U.S. government make the process a viable option for those fleeing the war. Still, refugee resettlement agencies in Pittsburgh are readying for the possibility. One such agency, Jewish Family and Community Services, employs Ms. Shishman as an immigration services worker.

“I know for a fact there’s millions of people trying to come, and more,” Ms. Shishman said last week. “There’s equally as many trying to help bring those people here.”

On Thursday, JFCS announced it would commit to resettling Ukrainians, although legal options for that process are still being considered. Right now, visas are available for those with family members already living in the United States or for those who had applied before the war broke out.

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Pittsburgh has a rich history of immigrants coming from Central and Eastern Europe. Many come here because they are sponsored by relatives who are already here. However many more come because their passage and legal issues are being managed by volunteer agencies such as Jewish Family and Community Services. Pittsburgh welcomes Ukrainians with open arms!