Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced last week that the Canadian government is allowing Ukrainians who fled the Russian aggression to come to Canada temporarily for two years "for those who need a safe haven while the war destroys their homeland."

The Immigration Minister's office currently says the program is only available to Ukrainian citizens.

Non-citizens will continue to be given priority status if they apply to come to Canada through other immigration programs.

Many advocates and experts say nationality should not be considered when helping people escape violence.

Will Tao, an immigration and refugee lawyer in British Columbia, said: "I think we are also seeing a large number of temporary residents and non-Ukrainian citizens who are affected by this."

He said the same applies to hundreds of Afghan refugees who fled to Ukraine last year, only to find themselves in another war zone.

He said, "I hope our policy is not strictly limited to citizenship, and that residents in Ukraine prior to that are also considered, and that we are able to accommodate some of these people."

For its part, the Canadian Council for Refugees said refugees residing in Ukraine are also in a very vulnerable situation now.

Executive Director Janet Dench said their "situation is more severe." "We definitely urge the government to pay special attention to them," especially as early reports indicated that some refugees and temporary residents in Ukraine experienced racism at the borders and additional difficulties leaving the country when Russia attacked.

In a statement, the Immigration Minister's office said all policy-related decisions are made with safeguards against bias and ensuring accessibility for those who need it.

Other countries face similar dilemmas about how to manage what is now considered the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said 1.5 million people have fled the country so far.

Last week, European Union ministers unanimously voted to activate the Temporary Protection Directive for the first time since its establishment in 2001.

The UNHCR said the directive means member states will provide immediate protection for Ukrainians and third-country nationals who have refugee status or permanent residence in Ukraine.

Juliana Walgreen, a member of the European Commission expert team on migration, integration, and asylum, said people without nationality or long-term residence in Ukraine are largely ethnic minorities.

Asylum seekers are often still waiting for safety, students, and people holding short-term work visas. Some of these people are unable to return to their countries of origin.

Walgreen, from the European Network Against Racism, who is also the acting director, said: "If you have to provide protection on the basis of the massive flow (of displaced people) and the risk of harm, it should be given to anyone coming from that situation, not based on nationality."

He added, "The EU's decision to provide temporary safe haven for displaced people because of the conflict, like Canada, is a good decision."

"What is bad is double standards."

The UNHCR has urged countries to take a comprehensive approach and grant the same safety and security to all fleeing Ukraine.

Edited by: Dima Abu Khair