Un tribunal federal anula la política del USCIS que bloqueaba las solicitudes de 39 países

Rabia Elhage • July 6, 2026

 Click here to read this article in English


Navegar por el sistema de inmigración de los Estados Unidos ya es de por sí un proceso complejo, pero una nueva y trascendental sentencia de un tribunal federal ha supuesto un gran alivio para miles de solicitantes que se encontraban atrapados en un difícil punto muerto.


El viernes 5 de junio de 2026, el juez presidente del Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito de Rhode Island, John J. McConnell, Jr., dictó una orden de ámbito nacional en la que declaraba ilegales y anulaba cuatro políticas restrictivas del Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS por sus siglas en inglés). Estas políticas internas habían ordenado anteriormente a los funcionarios encargados de la tramitación que suspendieran por completo dicha tramitación y las decisiones definitivas sobre las solicitudes de prestaciones de inmigración presentadas en nombre de ciudadanos extranjeros de unos 39 países.


En una sentencia redactada en términos muy contundentes, el juez presidente McConnell criticó las directivas restrictivas del Gobierno en materia de tramitación, afirmando que dichas políticas «sumían en un limbo jurídico indefinido las vidas de innumerables inmigrantes que residen en Estados Unidos». Además, acusó al USCIS de ignorar deliberadamente la legislación federal vigente al impedir categóricamente que estos solicitantes recibieran resoluciones definitivas.


¿Qué países y prestaciones se ven afectados?


Los 39 países afectados se encuentran principalmente en África, Asia, América Latina y Oriente Medio, lo cual coincide en gran medida con los países que han sido objeto de prohibiciones de viaje más amplias por parte de la administración.


En virtud de las políticas anuladas, las personas procedentes de estos países concretos se enfrentaban a suspensiones indefinidas de sus trámites esenciales, independientemente de las circunstancias particulares de cada caso. La decisión del tribunal federal afecta directamente a una amplia gama de vías de inmigración fundamentales, entre las que se incluyen:


  • Solicitudes de asilo
  • Documentos de autorización de empleo (permisos de trabajo)
  • Ajuste de estatus (tarjetas de residencia)
  • Naturalización (solicitudes de ciudadanía)


Qué significa esto para los clientes y los solicitantes


La conclusión principal de esta decisión es inmediata: el USCIS debe reanudar la tramitación de estos casos.


Dado que la sentencia del tribunal tiene efecto a nivel nacional, la agencia ya no puede suspender ni archivar un expediente simplemente por el país de origen del solicitante. Aunque se espera que la administración recurra la decisión del juez presidente McConnell, la política queda oficialmente anulada por el momento.


Para las personas procedentes de los países afectados que han visto cómo sus solicitudes permanecían paralizadas durante meses sin explicación alguna, esto abre una ventana crucial para que sus casos avancen hacia una resolución definitiva.


Cómo puede ayudarle el bufete de abogados Santos Lloyd


El panorama de la inmigración en los Estados Unidos sigue siendo increíblemente cambiante, y los cambios en la política federal pueden afectar radicalmente a su situación, su carrera profesional o sus plazos. Si es usted ciudadano de uno de los países afectados o tiene una solicitud que ha sufrido retrasos inusuales o prolongados, es fundamental que evalúe cómo esta nueva resolución modifica su estrategia.


En el bufete Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., seguimos de cerca los litigios federales y los cambios en las directrices de las agencias para ofrecer a nuestros clientes un apoyo jurídico proactivo. Tanto si estás tramitando solicitudes por motivos familiares, visados de trabajo o procesos de ciudadanía, nuestros abogados experimentados están aquí para ayudarte a comprender tus opciones y trazar un camino viable hacia el futuro.


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 sobre cualquier información que aquí lea.

Rabia Elhage

UPDATE: Federal Court Postpones DHS Rule Eliminating “Duration of Status” (D/S)

By Juliana LaMendola • September 22, 2026
On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction in Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security , halting the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that was scheduled to eliminate “duration of status” (D/S) on September 15, 2026. As a result of this nationwide order, DHS is blocked from enforcing fixed periods of admission for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I media representatives while the litigation moves forward. Because the current “duration of status” framework remains in full effect, F, J, and I visa holders are not required to file Form I-539 extension of stay applications to remain in valid status beyond program end dates at this time. Furthermore, restrictions on academic transfers, constraints on enrolling in second programs at the same degree level, 240-day caps on continued employment while extensions are pending, and shortened grace periods do not apply during the injunction. F-1 nonimmigrants retain the full 60-day post-completion grace period, and J-1 holders maintain their 30-day grace period. However, please note that this preliminary injunction is not a final ruling invalidating the rule , and a status conference is scheduled for October 2, 2026, to determine next steps in the litigation. Immediate Practice Tips: Inspect I-94 Travel Records Upon Reentry: F, J, and I visa holders currently admitted under D/S retain their status and should continue to be readmitted under D/S following international travel until the injunction is lifted. However, because the I-94 record controls legal stay, travelers must inspect their CBP-issued Form I-94 immediately upon reentry to confirm the "Admit Until Date" states "D/S" rather than a specific expiration date. If a specific date is mistakenly recorded, contact a local CPB Deferred Inspection Site. Notify HR and Review Workplace Compliance: Employers sponsoring F-1 or J-1 employees should inform HR and hiring managers that the September 15 fixed-period rule is postponed and standard D/S rules govern. This development does not alter standard filing windows or Form I-9 verification procedures for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extensions.  Maintain Operational Readiness and Defer Unnecessary Filings: Visa holders and employers should defer travel or filing strategy decisions made solely in anticipation of the fixed-admission rule. Because DHS may appeal or the court could alter the timeline on short notice, institutions and visa holders should maintain readiness to adjust plans if implementation resumes. There are many evolving components to this litigation. If you are an F-1, J-1, or I visa holder, sponsoring institution, or employer, you should proactively coordinate with your international student office and legal counsel to protect your status and monitor upcoming court proceedings.

DHS Final Rule Eliminating “Duration of Status” (D/S): Practice Tips and Transition Procedures

By Juliana LaMendola • September 3, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final rule eliminating the longstanding "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F, J, and I visa holders, replacing it with a fixed period of admission effective September 15, 2026. This rule requires that those who need additional time to complete their programs must file Form I-539 with USCIS or travel abroad and seek to reenter to extend their authorized period of stay. F and J visa holders present in the U.S. and in valid status on September 15, 2026, will be allowed to remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their current Form I-20 (for F-1s) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1s), up to a maximum of four years (until September 15, 2030) plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s and a 30-day grace period for J-1s, without filing an Extension of Status request with USCIS. However, this safety net only applies while staying in the U.S.; international travel and subsequent reentry after September 15, 2026 will result in readmission under the new rule with an I-94 that expires on the Program End Date or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expiration, but no later than four-years after their date of re-entry. Additionally, once re-admitted under the new rules, F-1s will only receive a 30-day grace period. Immediate Practice Tips: Any F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant currently in the U.S. who plans to change programs, start a new degree level, or needs more time to complete their studies must work with their school or program sponsor to update their SEVIS record and receive an extended Form I-20 or DS-2019 before September 15, 2026. Eligible F-1 students should submit their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT work authorization applications (Form I-765) before September 15, 2026, to secure their status and drastically reduce the likelihood of needing a Form I-539 extension application. Any F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, should do so as soon as they are eligible to file their Form I-765. Since F-1s can file OPT applications up to 90 days in advance of graduation, F-1 students graduating before June 15,2027, should be able to file their OPT applications before March 18, 2027, and should do so to avoid also having to file Form I-539 to extend their stay. Thus, most F-1 students graduating in December 2026 and May/June 2027 should be able to take advantage of the transition rule’s delay in having to file Form I-539 applications and should only need to file Form I-765 to apply for OPT. Incoming F-1 and J-1 students who can enter the United States before the September 15, 2026 effective date (within the permissible 30-day window prior to their program start) should do so to benefit from the transition rules, including the full 60-day F-1 grace period and deferred extension requirements. Students (F-1 and J-1) who are planning international travel should return before the effective date if possible to preserve their transition benefits.  There are many parts of the rule that are not discussed here. If you are currently an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you should proactively coordinate with your institutions and international office to protect your status and stay informed.

USCIS Issues Updated Guidance on Public Charge Rules

By Kris Quadros-Ragar • August 27, 2026
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance detailing how officers will evaluate "public charge" inadmissibility for individuals applying for green cards through adjustment of status. This update follows a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that rescinds the 2022 public charge regulations. The new policy takes effect on September 18, 2026 , and applies to all green card applications (Form I-485) postmarked or submitted on or after that date. Who Is Subject to the Public Charge Rule? Most family-based and employment-based green card applicants will be subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. This includes spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, as well as most employment visa preference categories, investors, and diversity visa applicants. Certain categories remain explicitly exempt under immigration law. These include: Asylees and refugees Victims of human trafficking (T visa) or crime (U visa) Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners Special Immigrant Juveniles Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants Certain military-related applicants and other designated humanitarian groups How USCIS Will Make Determinations USCIS officers will evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge by reviewing the totality of their circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Key factors include: Five Statutory Factors: Age, health, family status, assets/financial resources, and education or skills. Affidavit of Support: Submission of Form I-864 executed by a sponsor. Use of Public Benefits: USCIS will look at means-tested public benefits, such as cash assistance for income maintenance, housing assistance, food stamps (SNAP), or college financial aid. Note on timing: For benefits received before September 18, 2026, USCIS will only consider public cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense. For benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, the broader consideration of all listed means-tested benefits will apply. Public Charge Bonds If an officer determines that an applicant is inadmissible solely on public charge grounds, USCIS may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny that invites the applicant to post a public charge bond using Form I-945. If an invited applicant successfully posts the required cash or surety bond, USCIS may approve the application for permanent residence. Public charge bonds can only be submitted if explicitly invited by USCIS. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor immigration developments closely and provide updates as further implementation details are released. For more information, please access: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-on-making-public-charge-inadmissibility-determination
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