USCIS actualiza las directrices sobre el cálculo de la edad de la Ley de Protección del Estatuto del Niño (CSPA)

Angelica Rice • October 17, 2024

Click here to read this article in English

El 25 de septiembre de 2024, el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS) actualizó recientemente sus directrices sobre la Ley de Protección del Estatus del Niño (CSPA) para aclarar cómo se calcula la edad CSPA de un solicitante cuando se dan circunstancias extraordinarias. Esta actualización está diseñada para ayudar a los solicitantes y sus familias a entender mejor cómo su elegibilidad para ciertos beneficios de inmigración puede verse afectada por retrasos o condiciones especiales durante el proceso.

La CSPA es una ley crucial que ayuda a proteger a los niños contra el «envejecimiento» del proceso de inmigración, es decir, cumplir 21 años mientras esperan que se procesen las peticiones de inmigración basadas en la familia. Normalmente, una vez que un hijo cumple 21 años, ya no puede optar a una tarjeta verde en determinadas categorías de visados familiares. Sin embargo, la CSPA permite un cálculo especial de la edad de un hijo para determinar si puede seguir siendo considerado «hijo» a efectos de inmigración, aunque haya superado los 21 años.


La reciente actualización del USCIS se centra en dos puntos clave:


  • En primer lugar, aclara cómo las circunstancias extraordinarias pueden excusar a un solicitante del requisito habitual de solicitar una tarjeta verde (o «tratar de adquirir» la residencia permanente) en el plazo de un año desde que su visado esté disponible. Si circunstancias extraordinarias, como problemas médicos u otras situaciones inevitables, impiden a un solicitante cumplir este plazo, aún podrá acogerse a la protección de la CSPA siempre que pueda demostrar dichas circunstancias.


  • En segundo lugar, las orientaciones describen cómo calcular la edad CSPA del solicitante en los casos en que se dan estas circunstancias extraordinarias. Si un visado de inmigrante ha estado disponible durante un período ininterrumpido de un año, la edad CSPA se calcula a partir de la fecha en que el visado estuvo disponible por primera vez. Sin embargo, si el visado estuvo disponible y luego dejó de estarlo antes de que el solicitante pudiera solicitarlo, el cálculo de la edad CSPA puede seguir utilizando la fecha en que el visado estuvo disponible por primera vez, si el solicitante puede demostrar que no pudo solicitarlo debido a circunstancias extraordinarias.


Esta actualización aborda una cuestión que anteriormente no estaba cubierta en detalle por la política de USCIS. Antes de esta aclaración, no estaba claro cómo la edad CSPA se calcularía para los no ciudadanos que tenían razones extraordinarias para no solicitar una tarjeta verde durante el tiempo que su visa estaba disponible. Al proporcionar esta orientación actualizada, USCIS tiene como objetivo garantizar que estos casos se manejen de manera coherente y justa.

En conclusión, esta reciente actualización del USCIS ofrece una orientación más clara sobre cómo las circunstancias extraordinarias afectan el cálculo de la edad CSPA. Si usted cree que su familia podría beneficiarse de esta actualización, por favor póngase en contacto con uno de nuestros abogados de inmigración altamente experimentados, que pueden ayudarle a entender cómo estos cambios se aplican a su situación. Para obtener información más detallada, puede visitar el Manual de Políticas de USCIS o revisar el anuncio oficial de USCIS.

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.

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Angelica Rice

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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