Shop window in Rhinebeck, NY, photo © 2022 Ralph Benko

By Ralph Benko- The White House announced that America “is announcing plans to welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians and others fleeing Russia’s aggression through the full range of legal pathways, including the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.”

President Biden? Welcome many more! 

America’s character and national interests demand that we welcome at least a million. Why?

Because more Ukrainians will accelerate building America back better, making America great again, uniting our nation in common cause! 

Yes, most Ukrainians desire and plan to return to Ukraine at first opportunity.

We fully support their aspirations. 

Meanwhile, however, let’s joyfully welcome at least a million, preferably more, Ukrainians, and immediately. 

It is the right thing to do, both for Americans and Ukrainians.

Dr. Martin Luther King dreamed of an America where people are judged by “the content of their character.”  The Ukrainian people consistently demonstrate the kind of courage and values the propelled the United States to world greatness.

Make a million, or, better, millions, of Ukrainians welcome. More Ukrainians, whether taking temporary refuge or seeking permanent residency, will benefit America.

A few examples?

From the babushka who, at the beginning of the invasion, per the UK Daily Mail, who:

voiced the outrage of her nation today as she confronted heavily armed Russian soldiers and demanded to know what they were doing in her country.

The woman shouted at two of the invaders: ‘What the **** are you doing in our land?’ while one of the embarrassed soldiers in Henichesk, a port city on the sea of Azov, tried to calm her.

She walked away, then called back: ‘You should put sunflower seeds in your pockets so that they will grow on Ukrainian land after you die.’

To the defenders of Snake Island, those Heroes of Ukraine, who, per Wikipedia, when “one of the Russian warships taking part in the siege of the island called on the soldiers to surrender in exchange for safety, at which point, the defenders agreed to curtly decline the offer… :

Russian warship: “Snake Island, I, Russian warship, repeat the offer: put down your arms and surrender, or you will be bombed. Have you understood me? Do you copy?”

Ukrainian 1: “Nu, soy. That’s it, then. Or, do we need to **** them back off?”

Ukrainian 2: “Might as well.”

Ukrainian 1: “Russian warship, go **** yourself.”

Consider the heroic Vitaly Skakun Volodymyrovych who, per the New York Post:

When the battalion decided that the only way to block the armored column was by blowing up the bridge, Volodymyrovych volunteered to place mines on the span, the General Staff of the Armed Forces said.

And when he realized he had no time to get to safety, the brave soldier made the ultimate sacrifice on the bridge, which connected Russian-occupied Crimea and mainland Ukraine.

“According to his brothers in arms, Vitaly got in touch [with them] and said he was going to blow up the bridge. Immediately after an explosion rang out,” the military said.

“Our brother was killed. His heroic act significantly slowed down the push of the enemy, allowing the unit to relocate and organize the defense,” the statement said.

And let us celebrate President Zelensky himself, who, spurning the West’s offer of being taken to safety, is reported to have replied,

“I need ammunition, not a ride.” 

These are words worthy of our own Patrick “Give me liberty or give me death!” Henry!

Countless Ukrainians have displayed valor in the face of unimaginable brutality by Putin’s forces. Innumerable husbands have escorted their wives and children to safety across the border, then determinedly returned to face brutal Russian forces to fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity.

Why invite a million?  We’d prefer 10 million.

That said, a million would be a good start.  

Can we manage it? Readily.

Per ABC News, “At least 4,019,287 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries since Russian forces invaded the eastern European country on Feb. 24, according to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR. The majority of refugees have escaped to Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary and Slovakia.” Poland, a nation of fewer than 38 million, has, per NPR, has given refuge to something like a million Ukrainians.

America, with our population of 332 million, would accept between 8 and 9 million Ukrainians for refuge or even resettlement here to take in a number proportionate to that of Poland.

Poland is slightly smaller than the state of New Mexico. The United States is about 30x the size of Poland.  America’s population density is only about one-fourth that of Poland.

America has plenty of room.

This is not a matter of charity. America would be wonderfully fortunate to attract more Ukrainians. 

And accepting refugees is the American way.

George Washington (the “the father of our country”) and James Madison (“the father of our Constitution”), two of our most revered founders, had this to say about accepting immigrants.

George Washington wrote: 

“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respected Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations and Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges…”

and

“I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong.”

James Madison, during the Constitutional convention, said that he:

“wished to maintain the character of liberality which had been professed in all the Constitutions & publications of America. He wished to invite foreigners of merit & republican principles among us. America was indebted to emigrations for her settlement & Prosperity. That part of America which had encouraged them most had advanced most rapidly in population, agriculture & the arts.”

President Biden? For the humanitarian reason of accepting the oppressed and persecuted, as advocated by your predecessor George Washington? And to advance our prosperity, as advocated by your predecessor James Madison?

Now propose to the Congress of the United States that we enact legislation to have America immediately issue a million visas and green cards to Ukrainians. Mr. President?

Rise to greatness.

Glory to Ukraine!