As Russian shelling ceases for a few moments, a man walks through a battered Ukrainian street covered in debris while carrying a large package on his back.
War in Ukraine
Just days ago, the Russian military breeched the Ukrainian border, escalating from what was mere military presence and intimidation to a full-scale military attack. This news comes days after Russian President Vladimir Putin was confronted about his troops’ military presence along the Ukrainian border, specifically in Eastern regions of the country where conflict has been ongoing between Ukraine and Russia for several years. During this confrontation, Russian military presence was said to be “a training exercise,” but it became clear this was not the case as Russian forces invaded Ukrainian borders only days later.
On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, displacing what will come to be millions of Ukrainians and foreign nationals who sought refuge and life within that nation’s borders. What we will see in the coming days and weeks, is a huge migration of Eastern European displaced peoples among Europe and beyond as individuals fleeing Ukraine seek refuge from the Russian invasion. As Russian shelling and agression continues to spread throughout Ukraine, many in the United States will seek to bring their loved ones here, and many abroad will seek refuge within the United States.
It is with great sadness and concern that we write this blogpost, but in light of these tragic events, we hope to provide timely updates on the situation on the ground in Ukraine, and answer questions our community may have about how to protect loved ones escaping from this senseless war. In addition, we would like to assist with this effort to bring those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine to safety and protect them from injustice and the war crimes committed by the Russian government.
What is the U.S. doing to help?
United States officials have mainly left their centers in Kyiv and continue to urge those still in Ukraine to consider leaving immediately and evacuating to another country to avoid the dangers of the Russian invasion. We do understand that for some this may not be possible (financially or otherwise) and some may choose to stay in the country to fight against foreign forces. Goldstein & Associates is here to answer your questions and provide some legal guidance on these matters if you are able to flee to somewhere safe and would like to know what options you have in terms of resettling abroad and perhaps coming to the United States.
At the moment, there is not a lot of news regarding immigration options and opportunities for Ukrainian refugees fleeing their homes for the U.S. We are awaiting news for the U.S. government that will better help guide the direction and advice we can provide. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact our offices for information, the latest updates, or to explain your situation so we may be better suited to help. Our contact information is listed at the bottom of this blog.
Слава Украïнi
What we have seen so far is that Ukraine will not be taken easily, if at all. The people are strong, their love for their country perhaps stronger, and they have significantly more to lose than Russians do. We believe in Ukrainians, both the tactically trained and the everyday citizens willing to stay and fight for their country and their futures. We send our strength and our unyielding support to those fighting for Ukraine and will continue to donate to the causes we believe provide the most aid during this time. Слава Украïнi!
A bit of our history
We are all incredibly shaken by this news. Our head attorney and founder of Goldstein & Associates, LLC, Mark Goldstein, Esq. and his family are originally from Ukraine and have a significant family history as Soviet Jews fleeing the Soviet Union during WWII, so he is uniquely attuned to this situation and those fleeing Russian persecution. We are all working to learn of the most recent opportunities for Ukrainians here in the United States. Please check this blog and future blogs on this topic for updates, as we will post more information as it becomes available. Если вам нужен перевод на русском языке, то мы с удовольствием можем это предоставить. Пожалуйста, напишите Кейла Голдстейн через емайл: kgoldstein@mglaw.com.
Legal advice and contacts
For specific legal advice about your loved ones or relatives, please call me to set a free legal consultation with our office. To reach our Pittsburgh office, please call (412) 258-8080 and our Philadelphia office at (215) 982-2381. Please note, however, that due to Consular closures and backlogs, and severely limited immigration options under the current U.S. legal system for immigration to the United States, it may not be possible to obtain a visa at this time. We are consistently monitoring media and U.S. government briefings to understand what options look like for Ukrainian citizens both in the United States and abroad. Regardless, we will do our best to discuss your options and work towards finding a solution for your particular situation.
We are doing everything we can to help our clients with loved ones in Ukraine, and are always willing to speak with those seeking to learn about what options may or may not be available.
If you or a loved one are in Ukraine and are looking for a way to safely evacuate and come to the United States, we urge you to contact our office for legal guidance and to evaluate your options. We would be more than happy to connect you with a member of our staff to discuss your situation and come up with action plans during this chaotic time. You can call our Pittsburgh office at 412-258-8080, our Philadelphia office at 215-982-2381, or schedule a free phone or zoom consultation on our site using this link. We look forward to working with you. Keep safe.