Nearly 6,000 Ukrainians approved to enter U.S.

• It's part of the effort to meet the Biden administration's promise to welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees.
• The United Nations Refugee Agency estimates that 5.5 million people have fled Ukraine since the war began in February.

Driving the news: Ukrainian refugees participating in the program began arriving in the U.S. on Friday, the DHS said in a statement.

• U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services has had more than 19,000 requests from Americans who want to help Ukrainian citizens or immediate family members since the website first launched, the DHS said.
• The DHS website went live on April 25 for Americans to apply to be sponsors. Among other requirements, Ukrainians seeking to enter the U.S. through the program must have a U.S. sponsor.