Atualização da USCIS sobre o Cálculo de Idade de Proteção ao Status de Criança (CSPA)

Angelica Rice • October 24, 2024

Click here to read this article in English

Em 25 de setembro de 2024, o Serviço de Cidadania e Imigração dos EUA (USCIS) atualizou recentemente sua orientação sobre o Ato de Proteção ao Status de Criança (CSPA) para esclarecer como a idade de um solicitante é calculada quando circunstâncias extraordinárias estão envolvidas. Essa atualização foi criada para ajudar os solicitantes e suas famílias a compreender melhor como sua elegibilidade para certos benefícios de imigração pode ser impactada por atrasos ou condições especiais durante o processo. 


O CSPA é uma lei crucial que ajuda a proteger crianças de "envelhecerem" no processo de imigração, ou seja, completarem 21 anos enquanto aguardam a análise de petições de imigração baseadas em parentesco. Normalmente, ao completar 21 anos, a criança pode não ser mais elegível para um green card em certas categorias de visto familiar. No entanto, o CSPA permite um cálculo especial da idade da criança para determinar se ela ainda pode ser considerada "criança" para fins de imigração, mesmo após completar 21 anos. 

A atualização recente da USCIS concentra-se em dois pontos principais: 

  • Primeiro, esclarece como circunstâncias extraordinárias podem isentar o solicitante da exigência usual de solicitar um green card (ou "buscar adquirir" a residência permanente) dentro de um ano após a disponibilidade do seu visto. Se circunstâncias extraordinárias, como problemas de saúde ou outras situações inevitáveis, impedirem o solicitante de cumprir esse prazo, ele ainda poderá se qualificar para a proteção do CSPA, desde que possa comprovar essas circunstâncias. 


  • Em segundo lugar, a orientação explica como calcular a idade do solicitante sob o CSPA em casos onde essas circunstâncias extraordinárias se aplicam. Se um visto de imigrante estava disponível por um período contínuo de um ano, a idade no CSPA é calculada a partir da data em que o visto ficou disponível pela primeira vez. No entanto, se o visto ficou disponível e depois indisponível antes que o solicitante pudesse aplicar, o cálculo da idade no CSPA ainda poderá usar a data em que o visto ficou disponível inicialmente — se o solicitante puder demonstrar que foi impedido de aplicar devido a circunstâncias extraordinárias. 


Essa atualização aborda uma questão que anteriormente não era coberta com detalhes na política da USCIS. Antes desse esclarecimento, não estava claro como a idade no CSPA seria calculada para estrangeiros que tinham razões extraordinárias para não solicitar o green card durante o período em que seu visto estava disponível. Ao fornecer essa orientação atualizada, a USCIS visa garantir que esses casos sejam tratados de maneira consistente e justa. 


Em conclusão, essa atualização recente da USCIS oferece orientações mais claras sobre como as circunstâncias extraordinárias afetam o cálculo da idade no CSPA. Se você acredita que sua família pode se beneficiar dessa atualização, entre em contato com um de nossos advogados de imigração altamente experientes, que pode ajudá-lo a entender como essas mudanças se aplicam à sua situação. Para mais informações detalhadas, você pode visitar o Manual dePolíticasda USCIS ou revisar o anúnciooficialda USCIS.


Este blog não se destina a fornecer aconselhamento jurídico e nada aqui deve ser interpretado como estabelecimento de um relacionamento advogado-cliente. Por favor, agende uma consulta com um advogado de imigração antes de agir com base em qualquer informação lida aqui.

Angelica Rice


By Juliana LaMendola April 25, 2025
In recent months, the U.S. government has intensified its vetting procedures for individuals seeking entry into the United States, whether through visa applications abroad or inspection at ports of entry. This shift, prioritized by the current administration, is having a noticeable impact on immigrants, visa holders, and even lawful permanent residents (LPRs). At U.S. consulates worldwide, applicants are experiencing increased delays , often being placed into administrative processing under Section 221(g) or referred for Security Advisory Opinions (SAOs) , which can significantly prolong visa issuance. Officers are now engaging in deeper reviews of applicants' backgrounds, including their t ravel histories, social media accounts, and foreign ties . This scrutiny applies to a wide range of visa categories, from visitor visas to employment-based petitions. Importantly, officers are exercising broader discretion when deciding who qualifies for a visa, making the process more unpredictable, even for applicants with strong cases. This enhanced vetting does not end at the consulate. Individuals entering the U.S. — even those with valid visas or green cards — are increasingly subject to prolonged secondary inspections by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Officers may ask detailed questions about prior immigration history, travel patterns, and social media activity. In some cases, travelers are asked to provide access to their electronic devices for further inspection. There are also growing reports of travelers being referred to deferred inspection or even issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for removal proceedings, despite previously lawful entries. While some of these practices have existed in the past, the current administration has formalized and expanded them. Experts warn that additional travel restrictions or targeted bans could also emerge as part of the administration’s enforcement priorities. For employment-based applicants, these delays and complications can severely impact U.S. businesses and foreign nationals who contribute critical skills to the U.S. economy. It is more important than ever to be well-prepared before attending a visa interview or traveling internationally. Understanding your rights and preparing thoroughly can help you navigate this uncertain landscape. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C. , our immigration attorneys are ready to guide you through this evolving process and ensure you are informed, supported, and protected. Please contact us if you have questions or need assistance.
By Angelica Rice April 17, 2025
On March 31, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented a policy update that limits gender marker selections on all immigration forms and systems to two biological sexes: male and female. This change eliminates the option for applicants to select a non-binary or “X” gender marker—an option that had previously been permitted on some forms. While USCIS emphasizes that this update does not change who qualifies for immigration benefits, it may significantly impact how certain applications—particularly asylum claims based on gender identity-related persecution—are understood and evaluated. What Has Changed? Under the revised policy, applicants may now only choose “Male” or “Female” when completing USCIS forms. The ability to select a non-binary or third-gender option is no longer available. Applicants may still request to change their gender marker with USCIS, but only within the male/female binary. Supporting documentation, such as medical or legal records, is not required to make the change. This means that transgender individuals can still align their gender marker with their identity—if it falls within the two binary categories—but non-binary individuals are no longer represented. The change follows guidance issued by the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which called for greater consistency in the collection of sex and gender data across federal agencies. Impact on Asylum Applicants This policy update is especially important for individuals applying for asylum based on persecution related to their gender identity. Under U.S. immigration law, asylum is available to people who have suffered persecution—or fear future persecution—based on their membership in a “particular social group.” This includes people targeted for being transgender, gender non-conforming, or otherwise not aligning with socially expected gender roles in their home country. Although the legal standard for asylum remains unchanged, the removal of the non-binary gender marker could make it harder for some applicants to clearly present and document their identity. In asylum cases, credibility and clarity are crucial. The ability to accurately reflect one’s gender identity on official forms can play an important role in establishing the foundation of a persecution claim. Now, applicants who identify as non-binary or outside the traditional male/female categories may be forced to select a gender that does not align with their lived experience. This could lead to confusion in their case file or require additional explanation during interviews or hearings. This policy could weaken the strength of some asylum claims—not because the underlying facts have changed, but because the official forms now fail to reflect the applicant’s true identity. For example: A non-binary person applying for asylum after being targeted in their home country may now have to select “Male” or “Female” on their asylum application, despite not identifying as either. This mismatch may lead adjudicators to question the applicant’s identity, possibly weakening the strength of the claim or requiring added clarification and documentation. In defensive asylum cases—where applicants are in removal proceedings—such inconsistencies could create unnecessary hurdles and complicate the evidentiary presentation. What Can Applicants Do? Despite the change, individuals can still pursue asylum based on gender identity. The underlying eligibility criteria remain the same. However, applicants should be prepared to clearly explain any differences between their stated identity and the gender marker required on USCIS forms. Applicants are encouraged to: Include a personal declaration explaining their gender identity in detail and how it relates to their fear of persecution. Provide evidence such as affidavits, country condition reports, or expert testimony that supports the claim. Work with an experienced immigration attorney who can help present the claim effectively and prepare for any questions that might arise from the new form limitations. The new USCIS policy on gender markers may seem like a technical update, but for asylum seekers fleeing gender-based persecution, it has real implications. While individuals are still legally eligible to seek protection, the limitation to binary gender options could make it more difficult to fully and clearly present their case.  If you or someone you know is facing immigration challenges related to gender identity—or is concerned about how this policy may impact an asylum claim—please contact Santos Lloyd Law Firm to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced immigration attorneys. We’re here to help ensure your voice is heard and your case is handled with the care and expertise it deserves.
By Santos Lloyd Law Team April 10, 2025
In 2025, the immigration landscape continues to shift under the weight of national security concerns, ushered in by Executive Order “ Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats. ” This directive tasks federal agencies—including the U.S. Department of State—with implementing enhanced screening and vetting protocols for all foreign nationals seeking visas or other immigration benefits. The result? A dramatically intensified vetting process, along with mounting concerns from immigrants, attorneys, and civil liberties advocates alike. Traditionally, airport security focused on verifying travel documents and screening for prohibited items, while consular officers assessed the legitimacy of visa petitions and the admissibility of applicants. Extreme vetting, however, represents a significant shift toward a far more invasive and comprehensive investigative process. It now includes detailed background checks, biometric verification, digital forensics, and expansive scrutiny of an applicant’s online presence and criminal or financial records. Since President Trump’s second term began in January 2025, the implementation of extreme vetting has expanded rapidly. Today, border screenings go far beyond routine document checks, encompassing a full-scale evaluation of a traveler’s digital life. This pivot reflects the administration’s intensified focus on national security, but it has also triggered urgent discussions about privacy, due process, and the fairness of modern immigration enforcement. At U.S. ports of entry—especially airports—noncitizens are now subject to rigorous and invasive procedures, including: Inspection of cell phones, laptops, and other devices (including deleted content) Review of social media activity on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) Biometric scanning, including fingerprinting and facial recognition These measures are no longer confined to travelers from high-risk countries. In practice, extreme vetting applies broadly across all nationalities, and increasingly affects lawful permanent residents as well. For noncitizens, this new landscape introduces a heightened level of uncertainty and vulnerability. Delays at U.S. consulates for visa issuance or renewal are becoming routine. Travelers must now be acutely aware of these changes, and those attending consular interviews or seeking visa renewals should be prepared to provide additional documentation verifying their maintenance of status, compliance with visa conditions, and the bona fide nature of their visa applications. It is critical to organize supporting materials in advance and be ready to answer questions about employment, education, travel history, and online activity. As the U.S. government continues to expand its use of data-driven risk assessment tools, travelers must adapt to a new normal, one where preparation is essential to navigating the immigration system without disruption.
Show More