SPONSOR SUPPORT
Process to Sponsor a Refugee:
1. Identify your beneficiary with the help of the West River Resettlement Board.
2. Create an account at United States Citizens and Immigration Services www.USCIS.gov
3. Collect information and documents (see numbers 4 and 5).
4. Documents you will need as the sponsor: a. statement from an official at your bank which show how long you have had checking account, current balance and deposits for the past year, b. latest tax returns, c. document of assets, d. documentation of income e. passport (these need to be uploaded, so save on your computer).
5. Documents you will need for beneficiary (each person has to have own form submitted) a. Passport number and expiration date b. date of birth, c. current address, d. current email (this is important as it is how USCIS notifies beneficiary!).
6. Submit I134A online for each person you are sponsoring, even babies and children. To submit another I134A, go to Account drop down box and select "File a form online."
7. Both you and the refugee will receive notice in your USCIS accounts when travel authorization is granted. This could take a while, as Homeland Security conducts a thorough background check. Once travel authorization is granted, refugees may organize travel.
8. There is an agency in Europe that helps refugees with airfare. The email for that agency is: ukrainehumanitarianflights@gmail.com
9. Once the refugee is in Rapid City, take them to Lutheran Social Services. Viktoria at LSS is a great help with paperwork. The refugee needs to be taken to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security, and they will need a new cell phone.
10. Then, obtain assistance getting them housing and jobs.
11. A more exhaustive list of steps to take is shown on the Refugee Support page of this website, as these steps will be taken collectively between the refugee and the sponsor.
For more information, go online:
www.USCIS.gov
Uniting for Ukraine (links to 1-134A): https://www.dhs.gov/ukraine
https://www.USCIS.gov/humanitarian/uniting-for-ukraine/frequently-asked-questions-about-uniting-for-ukraine
The USCIS Citizenship Resource Center: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship
Free services on our website include:
Downloading forms: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms
Online filing for select forms: https://www.uscis.gov/file-online
Explore my Options: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/explore-my-options
Create an account on myUSCIS: https://my.uscis.gov/
Check your case status: https://egov.uscis.gov/
Change your address: https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange
Check processing times: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
Find “How Do I” fact sheets: https://www.uscis.gov/archive/how-do-i-guides
USCIS Policy Manual: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual
USCIS Avoid Scams: https://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams
Form filing tips: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/tips-for-filing-forms-by-mail
Report Immigration Scams: https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/report-immigration-scams
How to find legal services and help: https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/find-legal-services
Refugee security screening: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/refugees/refugee-processing-and-security-screening.
Nicole’s contact information: You are welcome to share my contact information with the public, businesses, or other community groups etc.
Nicole Bryner, Community Relations Specialist
Kansas|Minnesota|Nebraska|North Dakota|South Dakota|Western Iowa|Western Missouri|Western Wisconsin
External Affairs Directorate (EXA)|Office of Citizenship, Partnership, and Engagement (OCPE)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Cell: 651-396-9137 | Email: c32east.cro@uscis.dhs.gov
Nicole Bryner, is a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Community Relations Specialist serving South Dakota. She joined the community relations program in August 2023 and has 13 years of experience with USCIS.
For those unfamiliar with the Community Relations program, USCIS has local community relations specialists throughout the country. They hold a variety of external stakeholder events in which they share information and obtain feedback on USCIS programs, policies, and initiatives. Nicole is located in Minnesota and in addition to serving South Dakota, she also serves North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, Western Iowa, and Western Missouri
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