USCIS amplía el acceso a la autorización de trabajo para los solicitantes de visado T

Angelica Rice • December 6, 2024

Click here to read this article in English

Cambios clave en el proceso del visado T (en vigor a partir del 23 de octubre de 2024)


El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS) actualizó recientemente su política para los visados T, que proporcionan protección y estatus legal a los no ciudadanos víctimas de la trata de personas. Esta actualización, efectiva a partir del 23 de octubre de 2024, introduce cambios clave que agilizan el proceso de solicitud y amplían el acceso a los beneficios para los supervivientes de la trata. Una de las actualizaciones más impactantes es la nueva capacidad de los solicitantes de visado T para recibir autorización de trabajo mientras su solicitud de visado T sigue pendiente.


Autorización de trabajo inmediata


En un cambio importante, los solicitantes de visado T pueden ahora solicitar y potencialmente recibir autorización de trabajo antes de que su solicitud de visado T sea aprobada. A través del nuevo proceso de «determinación de buena fe», USCIS evalúa la elegibilidad básica desde el principio. Si una solicitud se considera «bona fide», se puede conceder al solicitante la acción diferida y un Documento de Autorización de Empleo (EAD por sus siglas en inglés), lo que le permite trabajar legalmente en los Estados Unidos mientras espera la aprobación completa del visado T. Se trata de un paso adelante fundamental, ya que los solicitantes ya no tienen que esperar hasta que se apruebe su visado T para recibir la autorización de trabajo.


Otros aspectos destacados de la política


  1. Norma de cualquier prueba creíble
    La política hace hincapié en que los solicitantes pueden presentar cualquier tipo de prueba creíble en apoyo de su caso. Este enfoque garantiza que los supervivientes, que pueden carecer de la documentación tradicional, sigan teniendo una oportunidad justa de demostrar su situación.

  2. Enfoque centrado en las víctimas y en el trauma
    La actualización refuerza el proceso de revisión basado en el trauma, dando prioridad a las necesidades y el bienestar de las víctimas de la trata y haciéndolo más compasivo.

  3. Flexibilidad del requisito de presencia física
    USCIS ahora permite ciertas excepciones a la regla de que los solicitantes deben permanecer en los Estados Unidos debido a su situación de tráfico, proporcionando flexibilidad para aquellos que pueden haber salido y regresado brevemente.

  4. Aclaración del requisito de denuncia
    Aunque, por lo general, los solicitantes deben denunciar la trata a las fuerzas de seguridad con jurisdicción sobre los casos de trata, existen excepciones para las personas que no pueden denunciar debido a su edad o a un trauma.


¿Qué significa para los solicitantes?


El visado T ofrece un estatus legal temporal a determinadas víctimas de la trata de seres humanos, permitiéndoles normalmente permanecer en Estados Unidos durante un periodo inicial de hasta cuatro años. Con estas actualizaciones, el programa de la visa T es ahora más accesible y de apoyo, ayudando a los sobrevivientes a obtener estabilidad y seguridad más pronto.


¿Necesita ayuda con la solicitud del visado T?


Si usted o alguien que conoce es un superviviente de la trata y puede beneficiarse de un visado T, estamos aquí para ayudarle. Póngase en contacto con nosotros hoy mismo para obtener orientación experta sobre las solicitudes de visado T y la autorización de trabajo, y comience su viaje hacia la protección legal y la estabilidad.



Este blog no pretende ser asesoramiento jurídico y nada de lo aquí expuesto debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Por favor, programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar sobre cualquier información leída aquí.

This Facebook widget is no longer supported.

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.
Show More