Cómo evitar abandonar el estatus de LPR

Angelica Rice • April 27, 2023

Click here to read this article in English

      Esperó meses, tal vez incluso años, y finalmente tiene su tarjeta verde y es un residente permanente legal de los Estados Unidos, ¡sí!.

     Ahora quiere visitar a su familia en el extranjero, llegó el COVID, y luego su madre se enfermó, y después de todo eso, solo necesitaba unas vacaciones relajantes en una playa de Portugal, y lo que se suponía que iba a ser un viaje de 2 semanas se convirtió en una estancia de 8 meses. ¿Está en peligro de que los oficiales de la patrulla fronteriza de los EE. UU. piensen que abandonó su estatus de residente permanente legal (LPR)? Si es así, ¿qué hacer?, ¿cómo puede pasar un período prolongado fuera de los Estados Unidos, sin abandonar su estatus? Continúe leyendo para averiguarlo.


     No hay un período de tiempo fijo que desencadena el abandono, pero se considera que los LPR buscan readmisión si han estado ausentes de los Estados Unidos por un período continuo de más de 180 días. § 101(a)(13)(C)(ii). Aunque un LPR que regresa de una visita de más de 180 días está sujeto a motivos de inadmisibilidad y puede ser cuestionado por el posible abandono de su residencia, esto generalmente sólo surge cuando el LPR se ha ido por más de un año.

     Cuando un LPR ha estado en el extranjero de forma continua durante más de un año, se presume que se ha producido el abandono. 8 CFR § 211.1(a)(2). Pero esto se puede solucionar si el LPR demuestra que él o ella ha mantenido suficientes vínculos con los Estados Unidos y que nunca tuvo la intención de abandonar la residencia. Si encuentra que ha estado fuera de los Estados Unidos por más de un (1) año, se recomienda que solicite un permiso de reingreso. Un permiso de reingreso establece que no tuvo la intención de abandonar el estatus y le permite solicitar la admisión a los Estados Unidos después de viajar al exterior por hasta 2 años sin tener que obtener una visa de residente que regresa. Los permisos de reingreso normalmente son válidos por 2 años a partir de la fecha de emisión. Para obtener un permiso de reingreso, presente el Formulario I-131, solicitud de documento de viaje. Si es posible, debe presentar esta solicitud con bastante anticipación a su viaje planificado. Además, no puede presentar un Formulario I-131 para obtener un permiso de reingreso a menos que esté físicamente presente en los Estados Unidos cuando presente dicho formulario. También debe tomar sus datos biométricos antes de salir de los Estados Unidos; la biometría no se puede hacer fuera del país. Sin embargo, si presenta el I-131 y completa sus datos biométricos, puede salir de los EE. UU. mientras el I-131 está pendiente y, si se aprueba, el documento de viaje se puede enviar a una embajada de los EE. UU. en el extranjero para que lo recoja en el país extranjero. No necesita un permiso de reingreso si estará fuera de los EE. UU. menos de 1 año.


    Si no tiene un permiso de reingreso para volver a ingresar a los Estados Unidos después de un período prolongado de ausencia, es posible que pueda argumentar que no abandonó su estatus y presentar evidencia para respaldar su argumento al oficial de patrulla fronteriza en el puerto de entrada de los EE.UU. La evidencia para respaldar que ha mantenido su estado durante su tiempo fuera incluye, entre otros, prueba de incapacidad médica; muerte de un miembro de la familia; pagos de hipoteca de una casa en los EE. UU.; empleo en una empresa estadounidense en el extranjero; una licencia de conducir emitida en el último año y que refleje la misma dirección que la registrada en el Formulario I-94, Registro de Entrada y Salida; el nombre y la dirección del empleador estadounidense y evidencia de que se ha pagado un salario dentro de un período de tiempo razonable; evidencia de matrícula de sus niños en una escuela estadounidense; evidencia de que la visita prolongada al extranjero fue causada por circunstancias imprevistas; evidencia de una fecha de terminación de viaje predeterminada, como la graduación o el vencimiento del contrato de trabajo; evidencia de haber presentado declaraciones de impuestos sobre la renta de EE. UU. en los últimos años; y evidencia de propiedad, ya sea real o personal, en los Estados Unidos. 9 FAM 42.22 N. 1.3.


      Si no está seguro de si ha abandonado su estado LPR o si desea asesoramiento sobre viajes prolongados fuera de los Estados Unidos, comuníquese hoy con uno de nuestros abogados de inmigración altamente experimentados en el área.

Este blog no pretende ser una asesoría legal y nada aquí debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar basado en cualquier información que aquí lea.

How Professional Athletes Can Immigrate to the United States: Visa Options for Champions and Competitors

By Shirin Navabi • June 12, 2025
The United States has long been a destination for the world’s most talented athletes—not only to compete at the highest level, but to access world-class training, coaching opportunities, and long-term career prospects. Whether on the field, in the ring, or across the chessboard, athletes from across the globe are finding immigration pathways that allow them to pursue their athletic and professional goals in the U.S. U.S. immigration law offers several visa and green card options designed specifically for individuals with extraordinary athletic talent. These include the P-1A visa for internationally recognized athletes, the O-1A visa for individuals of extraordinary ability, and the EB-1A immigrant petition, which can lead to permanent residency and ultimately, U.S. citizenship. The P-1A visa is commonly used by professional athletes coming to the U.S. to compete in a specific event or season. This applies not only to individual athletes but also to members of teams or clubs recognized internationally. It is widely used by soccer players, basketball players, MMA fighters, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors, and even elite chess players. Athletes must demonstrate a high level of international recognition and a record of performance in their sport. The O-1A visa is a strong option for coaches who demonstrate extraordinary ability, typically evidenced by championship titles, sustained winning records, or recognition as integral to their team’s success. To qualify, a coach must establish that their expertise places them among the small percentage of top professionals in their field. For athletes seeking permanent status in the U.S., the EB-1A immigrant petition —often referred to as the “extraordinary ability green card”—provides a direct path to lawful permanent residency. It requires clear documentation that the individual is among the very best in their sport and has achieved sustained national or international success. Unlike other green card categories, the EB-1A does not require employer sponsorship and can be self-petitioned. This has become a common path for MMA world champions, BJJ black belt medalists, Olympic athletes, and chess grandmasters—many of whom now represent the U.S. at the highest levels of international competition. It’s important to note that U.S. immigration law defines “athlete” broadly. Whether you are a professional football player in Europe, a sprinter from the Caribbean, a judoka, a gymnast, or a grandmaster in chess, your achievements may qualify under these categories if they are properly documented and presented. The key is a consistent record of excellence and recognition in your sport on a national or international scale. Our office specializes in these types of immigration matters. Whether you are an individual athlete looking to relocate or an organization seeking to bring international talent to your roster, we offer tailored legal strategies to support your goals. If you are exploring options to compete, train, or build your future in the U.S., we’re here to help you take the next step.

Understanding the Laken Riley Act: A Turning Point in U.S. Immigration Enforcement

By Denice Flores • June 5, 2025
In January 2025, the U.S. Congress passed the Laken Riley Act , marking a significant shift in immigration enforcement policy. The Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain certain non-U.S. nationals who have been arrested for theft-related offenses such as burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. Under this Act, the Department of Homeland Security must detain an individual who: (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The Act also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. It authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a: Decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody; Failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; Failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; Violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or Failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States. The Act's stringent detention requirements may lead to increased fear and uncertainty within immigrant communities. Individuals who are merely accused of certain crimes could face mandatory detention. The Act may also affect legal immigration processes. Increased detention and deportation efforts could strain resources, potentially leading to delays in processing visas and asylum applications. Given the evolving legal landscape: Stay Informed and/or Seek Legal Counsel - Consult with your immigration attorney to understand how new laws and policies may affect your situation and if you or someone you know is facing immigration-related legal issues. Know Your Rights - Familiarize yourself with your legal rights, especially concerning interactions with law enforcement and immigration authorities. Community Engagement - Participate in community organizations that provide support and resources for immigrants, fostering a network of assistance and advocacy. If you have any questions or would like to consult with an experienced immigration attorney, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

ICE Issues OPT Warnings to F-1 Students for Unreported Employment

By Kris Quadros-Ragar • May 29, 2025
In a renewed wave of enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has started sending formal alerts to certain F-1 students participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT), flagging that their records reflect over 90 days without any reported employment. These students have been advised to update their employment status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) within 15 days. Failure to take timely corrective action may lead to the termination of the student's SEVIS record, effectively marking them as out of status, and may ultimately trigger removal proceedings. The notices are intended as a warning that students who do not comply with OPT reporting obligations are at risk of serious immigration consequences. Understanding OPT and Its Unemployment Limits Optional Practical Training (commonly referred to as “OPT”) is a work authorization benefit that allows eligible F-1 international students to gain hands-on experience in their field of study. Students may apply for pre-completion OPT (while still in school) or post-completion OPT (after graduation), typically for up to 12 months. Those with degrees in qualifying STEM fields may apply for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving them a total of 36 months of work authorization in the U.S. To maintain valid F-1 status while on OPT, students must remain actively employed in a position related to their field of study. The amount of time a student may remain in the United States while on OPT without being properly employed is capped at: 90 days during the standard 12-month post-completion OPT, and 150 days for those on the STEM OPT extension, which includes any days of unemployment accrued during the initial OPT period. These unemployment limits are cumulative and enforced strictly through SEVIS monitoring. What Should F-1 Students Do? If you are an F-1 student on OPT or STEM OPT and receive a warning or are unsure about your compliance status, act quickly: Contact your Designated School Official (DSO) immediately to review and, if necessary, update your SEVIS record. Ensure all employment is properly documented and reported through your school’s international office. Do not ignore warning notices, as failure to respond may lead to SEVIS termination and potentially the initiation of removal proceedings. It is also advisable to consult with a qualified immigration attorney to explore available options and understand how enforcement actions may affect your status or future immigration plans. If you received a notice or have questions about your F-1 status, our attorneys are here to help you take the right steps to protect your future in the United States. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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