The new streamlined program, due to take effect on Monday, April 25, will fast-track some 100,000 refugee applications that the administration expects to be filed by Ukrainians in Europe in order to prevent those people from flying to Mexico and entering from the southern border.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February, about 15,000 Ukrainians have opted to take the Mexico route in order to speed up their entry into the United States.

But as of Monday, U.S. State Department officials said, only Ukrainian migrants in extreme circumstances will be allowed to enter that path.

So far, more than 5 million Ukrainians have fled their country because of the war.