Se buscan emprendedores en tecnología
Kris Quadros-Ragar • March 14, 2024
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Embarcarse en el emocionante viaje de lanzar una nueva startup tecnológica en los Estados Unidos es una empresa que combina innovación con ambición, y el panorama dinámico del país ofrece un escenario incomparable para que los emprendedores conviertan sus ideas innovadoras en negocios prósperos. Estados Unidos valora mucho su posición entre los líderes tecnológicos del mundo. En una nación impulsada por una búsqueda incesante de avances tecnológicos, el proceso de darle vida a una startup implica navegar a través de una infinidad de oportunidades, desafíos y panoramas regulatorios. Esto es particularmente cierto para los empresarios extranjeros, quienes también deben navegar por el sistema de inmigración además de concentrarse en lanzar sus negocios. Sin embargo, Estados Unidos reconoce el valor de traer innovadores tecnológicos al país y ha creado consideraciones especiales para los inmigrantes con educación en STEM (Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería y Matemáticas) que buscan desarrollar importantes tecnologías de vanguardia en los Estados Unidos.
Estas consideraciones especiales se aplican a la Exención de Interés Nacional EB-2, una clasificación de visa de inmigrante que conduce a la residencia permanente y, eventualmente, a la ciudadanía en los Estados Unidos. En el centro de cada petición de Exención de Interés Nacional EB-2 hay una propuesta de esfuerzo, y si bien estas propuestas para los Estados Unidos pueden ser sobre casi cualquier cosa, el Servicio de Inmigración debe reconocer una importancia particular para las propuestas que apuntan a desarrollar tecnologías específicas que la administración Biden lo ha identificado como crítico para la competitividad y la seguridad nacional de Estados Unidos.
En particular, estas áreas de tecnologías críticas y emergentes incluyen:
- Computación avanzada
- Materiales de ingeniería avanzada
- Tecnologías avanzadas de motores de turbinas de gas
- Fabricación avanzada
- Gestión avanzada y en red de sensores y firmas
- Tecnologías avanzadas de energía nuclear
- Inteligencia artificial
- Sistemas Autónomos y Robótica
- Biotecnologías
- Tecnologías de comunicación y redes
- Energía dirigida
- Tecnologías financieras
- Interfaces hombre-máquina
- Hipersónicos
- Sensores y sensores en red
- Tecnologías de la información cuántica
- Generación y almacenamiento de energía renovable
- Semiconductores y Microelectrónica
- Tecnologías y sistemas espaciales
Si usted es un emprendedor tecnológico con educación en un campo STEM y busca lanzar una startup en los EE. UU. que desarrolle cualquiera de estas tecnologías, la Exención de Interés Nacional EB-2 podría ser su boleto para la residencia permanente. Ya sea que se sienta atraído por los paisajes icónicos de Silicon Valley o las escenas tecnológicas emergentes en todo el país, ahora es el momento de dejar su huella.
Si está interesado en solicitar una Exención por Interés Nacional para lanzar una startup en los Estados Unidos, programe una cita con uno de nuestros abogados expertos.
Este blog no pretende ser asesoramiento 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 según cualquier información leída aquí.
On January 14, 2026, the Trump administration announced a freeze on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries . The administration states that this “visa freeze” is intended to review security protocols, “reduce risks,” and control immigration flows. However, the immediate reality is that this change in policy has temporarily suspended visa processing and restricted travel for applicants from numerous countries across the globe. While the legal landscape surrounding these suspensions is highly fluid and subject to change, it is important to consider how this “visa freeze” might impact your current status or immigration plans. The scope of the restrictions varies drastically depending on your country of origin and specific visa category. Most notably, a nationality-based travel ban restricts visa issuance for 19 countries : Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Beyond this targeted ban, a broader freeze affects applicants from a designated list of up to 75 countries, leading to indefinite delays for many visa petitions. However, it is important to note that immigrant visa applications first need to be processed through USCIS, which has not paused processing applications from the 75 countries. Thus, it is important to contact an attorney to understand at what point in the process this visa freeze may affect your case. While Brazil is included in the list of 75 countries, at the time of this publication, the freeze does not include non-immigrant visas for Brazil . Non-immigrant visas are granted to foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on a temporary basis for specific purposes, such as tourism, studying, or temporary work. This means that Brazilian applicants can still safely pursue non-immigrant employment options, such as O visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or P visas for internationally recognized athletes, without being subjected to the current travel bans or suspensions. This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. There are many changes and uncertainties, so please consult with a qualified attorney at Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C. to understand how these evolving policies might affect your specific case
Recent data in 2026 shows a sharp increase in Requests for Evidence across employment-based visa categories such as EB-1, EB-2 NIW, O, and H-1B. Requests for Evidence (RFEs) are no longer reserved for borderline cases; even robust petitions for high-level talent are facing unprecedented scrutiny. The expansion of the USCIS Vetting Center means automated tools are cross-referencing every petition, triggering RFEs for even the smallest inconsistencies. For EB-2 NIW petitions, adjudicators are increasingly questioning the "National Importance" of a candidate’s endeavor. Even for those with impressive credentials, USCIS now demands evidence of how their work specifically benefits the U.S. on a prospective basis. For O-1A and O-1B visas, officers are applying narrower interpretations of "distinction" and "extraordinary ability," often mischaracterizing evidence already present in the record. Additionally, a troubling 2026 trend is the correlation between Premium Processing and RFEs . For discretionary categories like EB-1A and EB-2 NIW, Premium Processing has increasingly become a "fast track" to a poorly reasoned RFE. Reports indicate that adjudicators, pressured by 15-business-day timelines, may be relying on AI-assisted vetting tools that trigger automated RFEs with general and boilerplate language, rather than a thorough review and analysis of supporting documents and evidence filed. With USCIS employing more rigorous AI-driven vetting and a narrower interpretation of visa criteria, the margin for error has disappeared . As such, ensure you consult with an experienced immigration attorney before filing a petition. ' If you have any questions, please schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, and we will be more than happy to assist you.
In recent weeks, the U.S. government has moved to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for multiple countries, sparking a wave of last-minute litigation and creating significant uncertainty for beneficiaries. This shift is having a profound impact on those who rely on TPS for lawful presence and work authorization in the United States. Across the country, federal courts have intervened to pause or block scheduled TPS terminations for several countries, including Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, and Syria. In response to these court orders, USCIS has updated its webpages to indicate that TPS status and related Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are extended for these populations. However, USCIS is intentionally not providing specific new end dates for EAD validity while the litigation remains in flux. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has prominently noted that it "vehemently disagrees" with these court orders and is actively working with the Department of Justice on next steps. This legal landscape remains highly unpredictable and varies drastically depending on the country of origin. For example, on February 9, 2026, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay allowing the government to proceed with the termination of TPS for Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal while the underlying legal challenges continue. Because of this ruling, the automatic extension of work authorization for these individuals has ended, and employers are now required to reverify the work authorization of affected employees, who must present alternative valid documentation to continue their employment. These rapid changes and the lack of clear end dates are causing complications beyond the workplace. Because driver's licenses often track the length of an individual's authorized stay, many DMVs are currently declining to issue or renew driver's licenses for impacted TPS populations. For employers, managing internal communications, avoiding onboarding errors, and navigating Form I-9 compliance has become increasingly complex. It is more important than ever to be well-prepared and proactive in monitoring these rapid changes. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., our immigration attorneys are ready to guide you through this evolving process and ensure you are informed, and supported. Please contact us if you have questions or need assistance.
