Getachew & Ansari Immigration Attorneys, P.C.

06/04/2026

When immigration cases become complicated, experience matters.

Attorney Medya Ansari has been invited to speak at multiple American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) conferences on complex immigration topics that affect real individuals and families.

Recent speaking engagements include:

• 2026 AILA Seminar: Travel restrictions and immigration processing strategy
• 2025 AILA Annual Conference: Responding to immigration emergencies
• 2024 California Chapters Conference: Complex U visa cases
• 2022 California Chapters Conference: U visa practice

Being invited to present to other immigration attorneys reflects deep engagement with evolving legal strategy, case complexities, and real-world immigration challenges.

That experience informs how our firm approaches difficult cases with preparation, clarity, and thoughtful planning.

If you are facing a complicated immigration issue, work with a team grounded in the knowledge and experience trusted in conversations within the immigration legal community.

Schedule a strategy session.

📞 Call or text: 408-402-4814
💬 WhatsApp: +1 510-931-3038
🌐 ethiopianattorney.com

06/02/2026

Thinking about traveling outside the U.S. while your immigration case is still pending?

This is one of the most common questions immigration attorneys receive, and it is also one of the areas where small decisions can create unexpected complications.

Many people assume that having a pending application automatically allows them to leave and return without issue. Unfortunately, immigration travel rules are often more complicated than they appear.

In some situations, leaving the United States without proper authorization may be treated as abandoning an application altogether. Even when Advance Parole is approved, re-entry is not guaranteed in every circumstance. Prior immigration history, timing, and supporting documentation can all affect what happens when someone attempts to return.

For asylum applicants, these issues can become even more sensitive. In certain cases, travel may affect not only the status of the application, but how the case itself is viewed.

Travel is not simply a personal decision during an active immigration case. It is also a legal one.

With the right preparation, many travel situations can be managed carefully. Without it, unnecessary delays or complications may arise.

If you are considering international travel, understanding your specific situation before making plans is critical.

📞 Call or text: 408-402-4814
💬 WhatsApp: +1 510-931-3038
🌐 ethiopianattorney.com

05/31/2026

Thinking about sponsoring a sibling?

For many families, this is not just a petition.
It’s part of building long-term stability and staying connected over time.

Sibling petitions fall under the F4 category and are considered a long-term immigration pathway. While timelines can be extended, filing early allows families to begin planning for the future.

Here are a few important points to understand:

• Only U.S. citizens age 21 or older can file for a sibling
• Wait times vary by country and can extend beyond 15 years
• Priority dates determine when a visa becomes available
• Careful documentation early on can help avoid delays later

There are also current policy factors that may significantly affect your case.

As of January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of State paused immigrant visa issuance for nationals of Ethiopia and approximately 74 other countries. This means that even if a priority date becomes current, immigrant visas are not being issued to affected nationals at consular posts while the pause is in effect.

Applicants may still attend scheduled interviews, but no immigrant visa will be issued until the pause is lifted.

If your family includes Ethiopian nationals in the consular processing pipeline, understanding how this impacts your case is an important step before moving forward.

A Strategy Session can help you evaluate your situation and plan with clarity.

📞 Call or text: 408-402-4814
💬 WhatsApp: +1 510-931-3038
🌐 ethiopianattorney.com

05/28/2026

When your family’s future depends on an asylum case, having the right legal support matters.

We understand how overwhelming and emotional the immigration process can feel, especially when a loved one’s safety and stability are at stake.

At Getachew & Ansari Immigration Attorneys, we are grateful for the trust clients place in Attorney Medya Ansari and our team during some of life’s most uncertain moments. Providing compassionate, clear guidance through complex immigration matters is responsibility we take seriously.

If you or someone you love is navigating asylum or another immigration challenge, experienced legal guidance can help you better understand your options and plan informed next steps.

📞 408-402-4814
📱 WhatsApp: +1 510-931-3038
🌐 ethiopianattorney.com

05/27/2026

Many people view a green card as a permanent solution.

While it provides long-term stability, there are important responsibilities that come with maintaining that status.

Understanding how it works can help you avoid unnecessary risks.

Here are a few common misconceptions:

Myth:
“A green card means I can stay outside the U.S. as long as I want.”
Truth:
Spending extended time outside the United States without proper planning can affect your status.

Myth:
“I don’t need to renew my green card.”
Truth:
Most green cards require renewal, and conditional green cards involve additional steps to maintain status.

Myth:
“Once I have a green card, I can’t lose it.”
Truth:
Certain actions or prolonged absences can impact your ability to keep your status.

A green card is a significant step toward long-term security, but maintaining that stability requires awareness and careful planning.

If you are unsure how these rules apply to your situation, schedule a Strategy Session with Getachew & Ansari Immigration Attorneys, P.C. to evaluate your options.

📞 Call or text: 408-402-4814
💬 WhatsApp: +1 510-931-3038
🌐 ethiopianattorney.com

General information only. Consultation required for legal advice.

05/26/2026

🚨 Big change if you're applying for a green card inside the U.S.

On May 22, 2026, USCIS issued a new policy memo that changes how adjustment of status applications are reviewed.

Here's what you need to know:

✅ This does NOT change existing immigration law
✅ This does NOT affect people who already have their green card
❗ It DOES mean USCIS officers now have more discretion to deny applications
❗ Applicants may now need to show "extraordinary circumstances" to adjust status inside the U.S.

Attorney Medya Ansari breaks it all down in this video, including what it means for your case right now.

If you're in the middle of this process, or planning to start, your strategy matters more today than it did last week. Every case is different, and the right approach depends on your specific situation.

Call our office at 408-402-4814 or visit the link in bio to schedule a consultation with Medya.

*This is an informational video and does not constitute legal advice.

05/25/2026

What should you do if your immigration case is still pending?

Waiting is not a strategy.

If your case has been pending for months or even years, this is the time to get proactive, not passive.

Here’s where to focus:

• Review your entire application carefully
Make sure everything is accurate, consistent, and complete

• Be ready for detailed questioning
Not just your original claim, but broader topics related to your case

• Update your case if anything has changed
This includes personal, family, or country conditions

• Document new developments
Changes back home or in your situation can strengthen your case

• Get your case properly reviewed
Strong documentation and preparation matter more than most people realize

A pending case is not static. It should evolve as your situation evolves.

In our pinned Facebook Live replay, we explain how to approach case preparation during delays and what steps you should be taking right now.

👉 Watch the full replay at the top of our page.

📞 408-402-4814
📱 WhatsApp: +1 510-931-3038
🌐 www.ethiopianattorney.com

General information only. Strategy Session required to determine the best next steps for your situation.

05/22/2026

USCIS has announced a major policy update that may affect how some individuals pursue permanent residency from inside the United States.

If you are currently in the U.S. on a temporary visa and planned to apply for a green card, this news may feel stressful or confusing.

The most important thing to know: immigration options are highly case-specific.

Your status, entry history, family relationships, prior filings, and long-term goals all matter.

Read the full USCIS announcement here: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-will-grant-adjustment-of-status-only-in-extraordinary

At Getachew & Ansari Immigration Attorneys, we understand how overwhelming policy changes can feel when your future and family are involved. Our team helps clients evaluate changing immigration rules carefully before taking action.

📞 408-402-4814
📱 WhatsApp: +1 510-931-3038
🌐 ethiopianattorney.com

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a new policy memo reiterating the fact that, consistent with long-standing immigration law and immigration court decisions, aliens seeking adjustment of status must do so through consular processing via the Department of State outside of the....

05/22/2026

If you’re in an abusive relationship, immigration options may still be available, even after the 2025 policy changes.

Some assume VAWA is no longer a viable path. That is not accurate.

VAWA still protects survivors. What changed is the level of scrutiny and the evidence USCIS now expects.

In this blog, we explain:
• Who may qualify under VAWA
• What changed in December 2025
• Why shared residence and good-faith marriage evidence matter more
• Why a police report is not required
• Recent confidentiality changes and what they may mean for some applicants

The process is stricter, but it remains a path forward when approached carefully.

If privacy, safety, or eligibility concerns are part of your situation, understanding your options before filing matters.

📖 Read the full blog:

Explore the vawa policy and learn how it protects survivors of abuse. Understand your rights under the updated regulations.

05/19/2026

Many people avoid taking the next step in their immigration case because of something they’ve heard.

Often, that information is incomplete or misunderstood.

When it comes to asylum, understanding what is actually true can make a meaningful difference in your sense of stability and direction.

Here are three common misconceptions:

Myth:
“If my asylum case is denied, I will be deported immediately.”
Truth:
A denial is not always the end of the process. Depending on your situation, other forms of protection such as Withholding of Removal or protection under the Convention Against Torture may still apply.

Myth:
“I’ve been here too long to apply.”
Truth:
While there is a one-year filing deadline, exceptions may exist in certain circumstances.

Myth:
“If immigration policies change, my case is automatically cancelled.”
Truth:
Policy changes may affect timing, but they do not automatically cancel pending cases.

Accurate information helps people make more confident and informed decisions.

If you are unsure how these rules apply to your situation, understanding your options is an important next step.

📞 Call or text: 408-402-4814
💬 WhatsApp: +1 510-931-3038
🌐 ethiopianattorney.com

General information only. Consultation required for legal advice.