Como evitar o abandono do status LPR

Angelica Rice • July 6, 2023

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      Você esperou meses, talvez até anos, e finalmente recebeu seu Green Card e é um Residente Permanente Legal dos Estados Unidos, uhul!

     Agora você quer visitar a família no exterior, e então o COVID aconteceu, e sua mãe ficou doente, e depois de tudo isso, você só precisava de umas férias relaxantes em uma praia em Portugal, e o que era para ser uma viagem de 2 semanas se transformou em um estadia de 8 meses. Você corre o risco de os oficiais da patrulha de fronteira dos EUA pensarem que você abandonou seu status de Residente Permanente Legal (LPR)? Se sim, o que você faz? Como você pode passar um longo período fora dos Estados Unidos, sem abandonar seu status? Continue lendo para descobrir.


      Não há um período fixo de tempo que acione o abandono, mas os LPRs são tratados como candidatos à readmissão se estiverem ausentes dos Estados Unidos por um período contínuo superior a 180 dias. INA § 101(a)(13)(C)(ii). Embora um LPR retornando de uma visita de mais de 180 dias esteja sujeito aos motivos de inadmissibilidade e possa ser questionado quanto ao potencial abandono da residência, isso geralmente só ocorre quando o LPR está ausente há mais de um ano.

     Quando um LPR permanece no exterior continuamente por mais de um ano, presume-se que houve abandono. 8 CFR § 211.1(a)(2). Mas isso pode ser restaurado pela comprovação do LPR de que manteve laços suficientes com os Estados Unidos e nunca teve a intenção de abandonar a residência. Se você estimar que esteve fora dos Estados Unidos por mais de um (1) ano, é recomendável solicitar uma permissão de reentrada. Uma permissão de reentrada estabelece que você não pretendia abandonar seu status e permite solicitar a admissão nos Estados Unidos após viajar para o exterior por até 2 anos sem a necessidade de obter um visto de residente de retorno. Permissões de reentrada são normalmente válidas por 2 anos a partir da data de emissão. Para obter uma permissão de reentrada, preencha o Formulário I-131, Solicitação de Documento de Viagem. Se possível, você deve preencher esta solicitação com bastante antecedência da viagem planejada. Além disso, você não pode preencher um Formulário I-131 para obter uma permissão de reentrada, a menos que esteja fisicamente presente nos Estados Unidos quando preencher o formulário. Você também deve ter sua biometria tomada antes de deixar os Estados Unidos; a biometria não pode ser feita fora do país. No entanto, se você preencher o I-131 e completar sua biometria, poderá sair dos EUA enquanto o I-131 estiver pendente e, se/quando aprovado, o documento de viagem poderá ser enviado a uma embaixada dos EUA no exterior para você retirar no país estrangeiro. Você não precisa de uma permissão de reentrada se estiver fora dos EUA por menos de 1 ano.


    Se você não tiver uma permissão de reentrada para retornar aos Estados Unidos após um longo período fora, poderá argumentar que não abandonou seu status e apresentar evidências para apoiar seu argumento ao oficial de patrulha de fronteira no porto americano de entrada. Evidências para comprovar que você manteve seu status durante seu tempo ausente incluem, mas não se limitam a: prova de incapacidade médica; falecimento de um familiar; pagamentos de hipotecas de uma casa nos Estados Unidos; emprego em uma empresa americana no exterior; uma carteira de motorista emitida no ano anterior e comprovando o mesmo endereço registrado no Formulário I-94, Registro de Chegada e Partida; o nome e endereço do empregador nos EUA e evidência de que um salário foi pago dentro de um período de tempo razoável; evidência de matrícula de crianças em uma escola dos EUA; prova de que a permanência prolongada no exterior foi causada por circunstâncias imprevistas; comprovação de data predeterminada de término da viagem, como formatura ou término de contrato de trabalho; evidência de ter preenchido declarações de imposto de renda nos EUA no(s) ano(s) anterior(es); e evidência de propriedade, seja imóvel ou móvel, nos Estados Unidos. 9 FAM 42.22 N. 1.3.


      Se você não tem certeza se abandonou seu status de LPR ou deseja aconselhamento sobre viagens prolongadas fora dos Estados Unidos,por favor, contate um de nossos advogados de imigração altamente experientes hoje mesmo!

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.

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An Athlete's Pathway to the EB-1A Green Card: Tips for the forward-thinking athlete on how to maximize your chances of eligibility for an "Extraordinary Ability" Green Card as you progress your career

By Joseph Lennarz • July 9, 2026
If you are an elite athlete, the dream of competing and living in the United States often begins with a temporary visa, like a P-1 or an O-1A, based on an employment contract with a team or a schedule of professional competitions you will participate in. However, if you are able to truly excel and reach the top echelon of competitors in your sport worldwide, you may eventually be able to qualify for an EB-1A employment-based Green Card that grants you lawful permanent residence in the U.S. The EB-1A is highly coveted because it doesn’t require a U.S. employer to sponsor you; you can self-petition based entirely on your own merit. However, the barrier to entry is high. You must either prove a major, one-time achievement (like an Olympic medal or a World Cup title) or satisfy at least three out of ten specific regulatory criteria. If you are a forward-thinking athlete currently in the prime of your career, now is the time to start building your EB-1A playbook. Here is a breakdown of all ten criteria from a professional sports perspective, along with actionable tips to bolster your eligibility for the future. The 10 EB-1A Criteria: An Athlete’s Playbook 1. Nationally or Internationally Recognized Prizes or Awards This criterion looks for evidence of excellence in your sport. For athletes, this means trophies, medals, or individual accolades. What counts: League MVP awards, "Best Newcomer" titles, National Championship medals, or selection to an All-Star team. Regional or local club-level awards generally won't cut it. How to maximize your chances: Never throw away a program booklet, medal certificate, or official league announcement. If you win an award, request a formal letter from the league or federation confirming the criteria for the award, how many athletes competed for it, and why you stood out. You are already striving for excellence in your career, to maximize the impact of these awards on your potential EB-1A eligibility, be prepared to document them as fully as possible. 2. Membership in Elite Associations USCIS looks for memberships in organizations that require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts. What counts: Selection to a National Team, an invitation-only elite training pool, or membership in a prestigious international sports federation with strict performance entry barriers. A basic club membership, or membership in a players’ union for all players in your league is unlikely to move the needle here. How to maximize your chances: Actively pursue national team call-ups or qualify for top-tier athletic federations. Keep copies of the official selection criteria for these organizations to prove that entry is based strictly on elite athletic performance, not just paying a membership fee. 3. Published Material About You in Major Media This involves press coverage detailing your athletic career, your achievements, and your impact on the sport. What counts: Feature articles, profile pieces, and match reports in major media outlets (e.g., ESPN, Sky Sports, major national newspapers, or highly regarded websites that cater to your specific sport). How to maximize your chances: Don't shy away from the press. When journalists ask for interviews, take them. Make sure that video interviews or other video-based features include a written text element as well. Crucially, maintain a digital press portfolio . Save screenshots, URLs, and physical copies of print articles. Track the circulation or web traffic metrics of the publications featuring you to prove they qualify as "major media" - they will need to average at least 3,000 viewers or subscribers per month. 4. Participation as a Judge of the Work of Others This criterion requires you to have evaluated the performance of other athletes or professionals in your field. What counts: Serving as a licensed referee or umpire at high-level competitions, acting as a technical judge at a national tryout, or being invited to sit on a selection panel for a prestigious youth draft combine. How to maximize your chances: As you gain seniority in your sport, accept invitations to judge. Offer to serve as a panelist or evaluator for academy tryouts, state tournaments, or specialized sports combines. Ensure your participation is documented with official invitations and judging schedules. 5. Original Contributions of Major Significance to the Sport This means you have introduced something to your sport that has shifted the way the game is played, trained, or analyzed. What counts: Developing a brand-new training methodology or tactical system that is widely adopted by other clubs, setting a long-standing national or international record, or introducing a new technique to your sport such as a new grappling hold in combat sports or a new putting technique in golf. How to maximize your chances: If you innovate a specific technique or coaching program, document its widespread impact. Secure testimonial letters from independent coaches, sporting directors, and analysts testifying to how your unique contribution has materially advanced the sport. 6. Authorship of Scholarly Articles This requires writing deeply technical or academic pieces for major professional or trade publications. What counts: Publishing tactical breakdowns in recognized coaching journals, writing a column for a sports science publication, or authoring an authoritative textbook on modern athletic training. How to maximize your chances: Use the off-season or injury downtime to co-author articles with sports scientists or write deep-dive tactical pieces for established athletic journals or coaching magazines. The experience and insight of an elite athlete is a valuable academic resource; you don’t need to be an accomplished scholar yourself to contribute to academic work. 7. Display of Work at Artistic Exhibitions or Showcases While primarily designed for painters, sculptors, and actors, this can occasionally be adapted for athletes under very specific circumstances. What counts: Having your athletic gear, memorabilia, or historical achievements featured in a major sports museum, or being a primary feature in an athletic showcase with a large audience such as participating in a testimonial match for a retiring superstar, or a skateboarding demo attached to a popular festival. How to maximize your chances: If your athletic career intersects with media, exhibitions, or major historical displays, keep records of the venue’s prestige, attendance numbers, and promotional materials. 8. Performing in a Leading or Critical Role for Distinguished Organizations You must prove that you played a vital part in the success of a team or organization with an eminent reputation. What counts: Serving as the team captain, being the star player/top scorer who led a top-tier club to a championship, or acting as the foundational head coach of a highly reputable academy. This could also apply to leading your boxing or MMA gym to a tournament title, your motorsport team to a season trophy, or contributing to your country’s success in an international competition. How to maximize your chances: Leadership matters. Strive for roles like captaincy or leading tactical positions. Keep records of statistics that indicate your impact on your team or group’s success. When you leave a club or team, secure a letter from the head coach, general manager, or sporting director detailing exactly how your specific presence and leadership directly caused the organization's success or ranking surge. 9. High Salary or Significantly High Remuneration This requires proving that your compensation is substantially higher than what the average athlete in your sport and country earns. What counts: Playing contracts, performance bonuses, endorsement deals, and prize money that place you in the top tier of earners in your league or nation. How to maximize your chances: Keep meticulous financial records. Save all player contracts, prize money receipts, and tax returns. Work with your immigration attorney to gather objective labor data (like national statistics or league averages) to clearly demonstrate that your income dwarfs the baseline average for your profession. 10. Commercial Successes in the Performing Arts For athletes, this criterion is increasingly satisfied through the modern commercialization of sports, specifically focusing on box office draws and merchandise. What counts: Major pay-per-view (PPV) draws in combat sports or extreme sports, ticket sales or attendance spikes directly attributed to your presence, or substantial jersey/merchandise sales carrying your name. How to maximize your chances: Work closely with your agency, club, or promotion to track your commercial impact. Request data regarding streaming viewership peaks during your matches, box office revenue for events you headlined, or official merchandise sales reports. As with each criteria, the more objective support materials you can provide, the stronger your argument becomes. Summary: Building Your EB-1A Timeline The EB-1A Green Card requires extraordinary ability by its very name; planning and preparation alone cannot manifest eligibility if you are not an outstanding athlete in your chosen sport. But for those high achieving athletes who may wish to pursue this desirable pathway to lawful permanent residency, being proactive early in your career can make all the difference. By understanding these criteria today, you can make intentional career choices that pay off down the road. Treat your visa strategy like your training regimen: consistency, documentation, and aiming for the highest platforms will ultimately secure your win. If you think you may qualify for an EB-1A visa on the basis of your athletic talent, please contact our office and we would be happy to help guide you through this complex but rewarding process.

Federal Court Strikes Down USCIS Policy Blocking Applications for 39 Countries

By Rabia Elhage • July 6, 2026
 Navigating the U.S. immigration system is already a complex process, but a critical new federal court ruling has provided major relief to thousands of applicants who have found themselves caught in a challenging standstill. On Friday, June 5, 2026, U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued a nationwide order declaring unlawful and vacating four restrictive U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policies. These internal policies had previously directed adjudicators to completely suspend processing and final decisions for immigration benefits filed on behalf of foreign nationals from roughly 39 countries. In a sharply worded ruling, Chief Judge McConnell criticized the administration’s restrictive processing directives, stating that the policies "threw the lives of countless immigrants living in the United States into indeterminate legal limbo." He further accused USCIS of actively ignoring established federal law by categorically barring these applicants from receiving final decisions. Which Countries and Benefits Are Affected? The 39 affected nations are located predominantly across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, heavily mirroring countries that have been targets of broader administration travel bans. Under the struck-down policies, individuals from these specific countries faced indefinite halts on their essential filings, regardless of the individual merits of their cases. The federal court's decision directly impacts a wide spectrum of vital immigration pathways, including: Asylum Applications Employment Authorization Documents (Work Permits) Adjustment of Status (Green Cards) Naturalization (Citizenship Applications) What This Means For Clients and Applicants The core takeaway of this decision is immediate: USCIS must resume processing these cases. Because the court's ruling carries a nationwide effect, the agency is no longer permitted to pause or shelve a file simply because of the applicant’s country of origin. While the administration is widely expected to appeal Chief Judge McConnell's decision, the policy is officially vacated for the time being. For individuals from the affected nations who have watched their applications sit frozen for months without explanation, this opens a crucial window to see their cases move forward toward a final determination. How Santos Lloyd Law Firm Can Assist The landscape of U.S. immigration remains incredibly fluid, and shifts in federal policy can radically impact your status, career, or timeline. If you are a national of one of the affected countries or have an application that has been experiencing unusual or prolonged delays, it is critical to evaluate how this new ruling alters your strategy. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., we closely monitor federal litigation and shifting agency guidance to provide our clients with proactive legal support. Whether you are navigating family-based applications, employment visas, or citizenship tracks, our experienced attorneys are here to help you understand your options and build a viable path forward.

Premium Processing in 2026: Is It Still Worth It?

By Josephine Franz • June 11, 2026
For many of our clients, premium processing has long felt less like a luxury and more like a necessity. Whether it's an artist with a tour date, a startup founder with investors waiting, or an executive whose H-1B extension is tied to a project deadline, the ability to get a USCIS decision in fifteen business days has been a cornerstone of business and entertainment immigration planning. But 2026 has brought meaningful changes. On March 1, 2026, USCIS implemented a new round of premium processing fee increases under the biennial inflation adjustment authorized by the USCIS Stabilization Act. With fees now climbing across every eligible form, employers, foreign nationals, and their counsel are asking a fair question: at these prices, is premium processing still worth it? The short answer is: often yes but no longer always. Here is what has changed, what hasn't, and how to think strategically about your filings this year. What Premium Processing Actually Buys You Premium processing is an optional, fee-based service that obligates USCIS to take action on a qualifying petition or application within a defined window. "Action" does not necessarily mean approval USCIS may issue an approval, a denial, a Request for Evidence (RFE), a Notice of Intent to Deny, or open an investigation. But it must do something within the guaranteed timeframe, or refund the premium fee. The current adjudication windows are: 15 business days for most Form I-129 nonimmigrant petitions (including H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1, TN, and E-3) and most Form I-140 employment-based immigrant petitions 45 business days for Form I-140 petitions in the EB-1C (multinational executive/manager) and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) categories 30 business days for eligible Form I-539 change-of-status applications and Form I-765 applications for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT employment authorization When USCIS issues an RFE, the clock pauses and restarts only when the agency receives the response, a detail that surprises many petitioners and is worth planning around. The 2026 Fee Increases at a Glance The Department of Homeland Security's final rule, published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2026, raised premium processing fees by an average of roughly 5.7 percent based on inflation between June 2023 and June 2025. Any Form I-907 postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, must include the updated fee, or USCIS will reject the filing outright.
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