Sistema de Determinação de Boa Fé para Requerentes do Visto U

Angelica Rice • June 16, 2021

Ótimas Notícias para aplicantes de U Visa 🎉

       Os imigrantes que solicitam um visto U depois de serem vítimas de um crime aqui nos Estados Unidos precisam esperar meses, às vezes anos, para que seu pedido seja processado e, com sorte, aprovado. Enquanto isso, esses candidatos não têm status e não podem obter autorização de trabalho. Esse fato tem impedido muitas pessoas de se apresentarem e auxiliarem os policiais em suas investigações, o que significa que cada vez mais crimes estão ficando sem solução. Felizmente, o USCIS reconheceu esse problema e, em 14 de junho de 2021, implementou uma nova política que mudará a questão da permissão para trabalhar!


 Click here to read this article in English and Spanish

       Em 14 de junho de 2021, o USCIS anunciou um novo sistema chamado "Good Faith Determination", que será usado para solicitações de visto U. Por meio desse novo processo, o USCIS emitirá autorização de trabalho e concederá ação adiada aos peticionários nos Estados Unidos com petições de visto U pendentes que são consideradas de boa fé (feitas de boa fé e sem intenção de enganar ou intenção de fraude) e para aqueles que merecerem um exercício favorável de discrição. Para ser considerada de boa fé, a petição deve incluir uma certificação policial de que o peticionário foi vítima de um crime e que a vítima foi, está sendo, ou é provável que seja útil na investigação ou processo judicial desse crime.


Mais especificamente, o USCIS considerará uma petição de boa fé se:



       O USCIS emitirá autorização de trabalho e ação adiada se, após conduzir e revisar verificações de antecedentes, a agência determinar, a seu critério, que os peticionários merecem um exercício favorável de discrição e não representam um risco para a segurança nacional ou pública.

 

       Esta orientação entra em vigor imediatamente e se aplica a todas as petições dos Formulários I-918 e I-918A atualmente pendentes ou protocoladas após e no dia 14 de junho de 2021.


       Esse sistema beneficia tanto os Estados Unidos quanto os imigrantes peticionários, ajudando as vítimas de crimes e, ao mesmo tempo, promovendo a segurança pública. Agora, os peticionários poderão trabalhar nos Estados Unidos enquanto seu pedido de visto U estiver pendente e minimizar seu medo de deportação.


      Se você ou alguém que você conhece se beneficiaria com esta nova política, entre em contato com a Santos Lloyd sobre seu caso hoje.

This blog is not intended to be legal advice and nothing here should be construed as establishing an attorney client relationship. Please schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney before acting on any information read here.



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Angelica Rice

Translated by Mariana Pereira

2026 Visa Freeze and Travel Bans

By Juliana LaMendola • March 13, 2026
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

The 2026 RFE Surge

By Denice Flores • March 6, 2026
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.

Navigating the Surge in Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Terminations and Litigation: What You Need to Know

By Juliana LaMendola • February 19, 2026
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.
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