Comment Submitted by Inna R.

My family came to the United States legally through the Uniting for Ukraine program after being forced to flee Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We did not leave our home by choice. We left because our country is at war, and my hometown continues to be targeted by missile and drone attacks. Returning there with my five-year-old son is simply not a safe option. The United States gave us a chance to rebuild our lives, and we are deeply grateful for that opportunity. We have done everything we were asked to do. We learned English, integrated into our community, and worked hard to become self-sufficient. My son learned English and is now attending school here. This country has become his safe place. I have worked legally, paid federal income taxes, Social Security, and Medicare taxes, paid rent, insurance, and all of our family’s living expenses. We do not ask the government to support us financially. We support ourselves through our own work and contribute to the American economy every day. Without an Employment Authorization Document, my family will lose the ability to provide for ourselves. We could lose our jobs, our income, and eventually our housing. We would struggle to buy food, pay our bills, and care for our child—not because we are unwilling to work, but because we would no longer be allowed to. A work permit does not create dependency. It prevents dependency. It allows people who are already lawfully present in the United States to earn a living, pay taxes, support local businesses, and contribute to their communities instead of relying on public assistance. Restricting or delaying EADs contradicts the purpose of humanitarian parole. Temporary protection should include the ability to work legally and support one’s family with dignity. I am not asking the government for financial assistance. I am simply asking for the opportunity to continue working, paying taxes, and supporting my family while it is still unsafe for us to return to Ukraine. The war in Ukraine is not over. My family cannot safely return home. Please allow us to continue working legally, supporting ourselves, and contributing to the country that gave us temporary status during this devastating war..