The Subcategories of Ukrainian Refugees and Trajectories of Adjustment to the Host Country

• In Event: 30421 - Section on Global and Transnational Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 1. Women on the Global Margins

Abstract

This presentation is based on 31 interviews collected during ethnographic field research in the Ukrainian community in the New York Metropolitan area. Since the Uniting for Ukraine program introduced in 2022 by the Biden administration requires sponsorship, this study highlights the significance of the primary groups in facilitating the arrival of their relatives and friends. It also fleshes out the factors impacting Ukrainians’ decisions against relocation, including attachment to the family or orientation and procreation in Ukraine, high socio-economic status (SES), financial security, affordability, refuge in Europe, fear of the unknown, ritualism, and fatalism. This presentation also explores the challenges Ukrainian refugees face in resocialization and adaptation to the host country, including a language barrier, socialization of children, unreliable public transportation, bureaucracy, and downward social mobility. Based on the push and pull factors, we can distinguish between three subcategories of refugees:
1) Determined refugees who tried to come to this country in the past but were unsuccessful. Hence, they availed of the “Uniting for Ukraine” program. This opportunity is highly valued and serves as an impetus to succeed in the host country.
2) Adventurous refugees who used the opportunity presented to them, realizing that the chance may be unprecedented. They did not plan to come to the US but felt intrigued by the opportunity. While escaping the calamity in their homeland, they decided to explore if they could succeed in the host country.
3) Reluctant Refugees who did not plan and did not want to relocate; they emigrated reluctantly, usually at the behest of their relatives, making significant sacrifices for the safety of their families (the greater good). They are dissatisfied with this decision and realize that their living conditions in the US are much worse than in their homeland.

Author

• Halyna Lemekh, Saint Francis College