Compreendendo o Visto T: Proteção e Caminho para a Justiça
Kris Quadros-Ragar • December 12, 2024
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O visto T é um visto de não-imigrante projetado especificamente para vítimas de formas graves de tráfico humano. Ele fornece aos beneficiários status legal temporário nos Estados Unidos, permitindo que vivam e trabalhem no país por até quatro anos. Esse visto não só assegura a segurança das vítimas, mas também garante acesso a benefícios públicos essenciais, como assistência habitacional e cuidados médicos.
Na luta contra o tráfico de pessoas, o visto T é uma ferramenta crucial, oferecendo esperança e proteção legal às vítimas que enfrentaram sofrimentos indescritíveis. Estabelecido sob a Lei de Proteção às Vítimas de Tráfico e Violência de 2000 (VTVPA), o visto T visa proteger indivíduos traficados para os Estados Unidos de novas explorações, ao mesmo tempo em que os capacita a ajudar as autoridades na acusação de seus traficantes.
Para se qualificar para o visto T, o solicitante deve demonstrar que:
- Foi vítima de uma forma grave de tráfico de pessoas;
- Está fisicamente presente nos Estados Unidos, Samoa Americana ou em um porto de entrada dos EUA devido ao tráfico;
- Atendeu a qualquer pedido razoável de assistência em uma investigação ou acusação federal, estadual ou local sobre atos de tráfico ou investigação de crime em que os atos de tráfico são uma das razões centrais para a sua ocorrência, exceto quando o requerente tinha menos de 18 anos na época da vitimização ou é incapaz de cooperar devido a trauma físico ou psicológico;
- Sofreria dificuldades extremas envolvendo danos incomuns e graves se fosse removido dos Estados Unidos; e
- E admissível nos Estados Unidos ou se qualifica para uma dispensa de qualquer motivo aplicável de inadmissibilidade.
As revisões de 2021 no Manual de Políticas do USCIS, especialmente no Volume 3, Parte B – Vítimas de Tráfico, esclareceram a definição ampla de tráfico. Isso facilitou o sucesso em mais casos de visto T sem solicitações adicionais de evidências ou necessidade de litígios.
Processo de Aplicação
Solicitar o visto T envolve o envio de um pacote de aplicação completo ao Serviço de Cidadania e Imigração dos Estados Unidos (USCIS). O núcleo da aplicação é o Formulário I-914, que inclui:
- Informações pessoais detalhadas e histórico de vitimização por tráfico;
- Documentação de apoio, como relatórios policiais, registros médicos e declarações de testemunhas;
- Evidência de cooperação com as autoridades;
- Prova de dificuldades extremas caso seja deportado.
Após o USCIS receber a aplicação, é realizada uma revisão minuciosa para determinar a elegibilidade para o visto T. Após a aprovação, os titulares do visto T recebem status legal temporário nos EUA por até quatro anos. Durante esse período, eles podem reconstruir suas vidas com acesso a recursos essenciais e a capacidade de trabalhar legalmente.
Importante: após três anos de permanência contínua nos EUA com status de visto T, os indivíduos podem solicitar o ajuste de status para se tornarem residentes permanentes legais (portadores de green card).
Lidar com as complexidades do processo de solicitação do visto T exige conhecimento legal e apoio compassivo. Aqui na Santos Lloyd, nossa equipe de advogados especializados em direito de imigração está focada em ajudar vítimas de tráfico humano. Se você acredita que foi vítima de tráfico humano ou deseja uma triagem completa, entre em contato com nosso escritório – estamos prontos para ajudar!
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.
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.
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
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering a regulatory proposal that would remove the discretionary 60-day grace period currently available to certain nonimmigrant visa holders (including H-1B, L-1, TN, E, and O-1) and their dependents. The draft rule is currently undergoing interagency review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and has not yet been formally published for public feedback. What This Means Right Now Nothing changes today. The 60-day grace period remains in effect while this rule goes through the approval process. Under current rules, if your job ends early, you have up to 60 days (or until your I-94 expires) to leave the U.S., find a new sponsor, or apply to change status. What Could Change If approved, foreign workers who lose their jobs would no longer get automatic time to find a new employer or change status from within the U.S. They would generally be required to leave the country immediately. Next Steps Once the OMB finishes its initial review, the proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register, opening a public comment period of 30 to 60 days. Based on feedback received during this time, DHS may decide to alter, withdraw, or proceed with the proposal. If the government decides to finalize the rule, the entire process will likely take several months before taking effect. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor developments closely and will share updates on our immigration blog and social media pages as more details emerge.
