Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) joined U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and nine of their Senate colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act. This legislation would provide temporary guest status to Ukrainians and their immediate family members in the United States until the U.S. Secretary of State determines that hostilities in Ukraine have ceased and it is safe for them to return. The legislation would also allow the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to revoke this temporary status if new information raises such concerns about any individual.
“For nearly three years, the Ukrainian people have fought bravely against Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked aggression, reminding us what it looks like to fight and die for democracy,” said Bennet. “The American people have been generous in supporting Ukraine’s fight and opening our arms to Ukrainians fleeing Putin’s aggression. Forcing Ukrainians to return to their country amid this brutal war would fly in the face of America’s values.”
Bennet has been a consistent advocate for Ukraine since Russia launched its unjustified and unlawful full-scale invasion in 2022. In February, he joined a bipartisan congressional delegation to Kyiv, Ukraine. He also visited Lviv, Ukraine with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate colleagues in February 2024.
In addition to Bennet and Durbin, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) cosponsored this bill.
The text of the bill is available HERE.