New York awaiting federal direction on potential Ukrainian refugees (Albany Times Union)

ALBANY — The potential resettlement of Ukrainian refugees in New York, home to the largest Ukraine population in the country, may be months away, according to state officials, but they said New York remains willing and ready to accept them once the federal government offers direction.

...

State Sen. Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, emphasized the importance of making sure the state's refugee resettlement programs are fully funded ahead of a likely influx of Ukrainians. He noted that often people make it to neighboring countries first, like in Poland in this case, and then apply for refugee status to come to the United States.

"You won't see it tomorrow," Ryan said in an interview. "But more than likely you're going to see, if this crisis continues on its path, huge numbers of Ukrainian families just trying to get out as soon as possible." 

The state's programming, run through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, recently was under the microscope as it ramped up its services for Afghanistan refugees following the U.S. pullout from the Middle Eastern nation.

Following calls from lawmakers for additional funding, Hochul included $2 million for refugee resettlement services in her proposed budget this year. In prior years, the Legislature chose to fund the services in a supplemental, after-the-fact measure. 

The crisis in Ukraine and the continued resettlement of Afghanistan refugees are not the lone pressures on the services, Ryan said. Following four years of slowed processing of refugee requests under the administration of former President Donald J. Trump, he said, it has put pressure on the system now that those applications are being processed. 

Altogether, Ryan said, he and other lawmakers pushing for refugee resettlement services expect to ask for around $9 million to fully fund the state's program. The services offer refugees support following the initial 60 days that the federal government helps to prop up families arriving here. 

"The more services we can provide a family during their first year ... it just makes for a much quicker economic integration," Ryan said. "We've learned that just the federal funding isn't enough, because after 60 days of services you're on your own and that's really unrealistic."

To read to the full story, click here.