Aviso nuevo e importante sobre el Permiso Adelantado de Viaje (Advance Parole) y la presencia ilegal

Important New Warning About Advance Parole and Unlawful Presence

By DeeDee Zepeda • August 31, 2026

A recent immigration decision has changed the risks of traveling outside the United States with Advance Parole . For many years, people with approved Advance Parole generally could travel without that trip triggering the three- or ten-year unlawful-presence bars. That rule has now changed. Because of this change, some people who already have an approved Advance Parole document should not use it without first considering whether they have unlawful presence. What Is Unlawful Presence? “Unlawful presence” generally means time spent in the United States without lawful immigration authorization. For example, unlawful presence may accumulate after a person: enters the United States without inspection; stays after an authorized period of stay expires; or remains in the United States without another form of lawful protection. There are important exceptions, so simply being “out of status” does not always mean that a person is accumulating unlawful presence. The amount of unlawful presence is important: More than 180 days but less than one year: leaving the United States can trigger a three-year bar . One year or more: leaving can trigger a ten-year bar . What Changed? The Board of Immigration Appeals recently changed its interpretation of travel with Advance Parole. Under the new rule, leaving the United States with Advance Parole can count as a departure for purposes of the unlawful-presence bars. That means someone who has accumulated more than six months of unlawful presence could leave the United States with a valid Advance Parole document and still create a serious immigration problem by departing. Importantly, the Advance Parole document itself already contains a warning that parole is not admission into the United States , that the traveler will still be treated as an applicant for admission, and that parole into the United States is not guaranteed . USCIS also warns that the person remains subject to immigration inspection and that DHS can deny parole. Family-Based Adjustment of Status Cases If you have a family-based adjustment-of-status case and you have accumulated more than six months of unlawful presence , our current advice is: Do not use Advance Parole to travel outside the United States. This is true even if USCIS has already approved your Advance Parole document. If you are not sure whether you have unlawful presence, do not assume that travel is safe. T Nonimmigrants Are Different T nonimmigrants have an important exception in the immigration laws. The unlawful-presence bars do not apply when the person can show that the severe form of trafficking was at least one central reason for the person's unlawful presence in the United States . Because of that exception, the new Advance Parole rule may not affect many T nonimmigrants in the same way it affects ordinary family-based adjustment applicants. However, we do not yet know how Customs and Border Protection will handle T nonimmigrants returning to the United States with Advance Parole. Several things could happen. A CBP officer may not immediately understand how the unlawful-presence exception applies to T nonimmigrants and may send the traveler to secondary inspection . An officer may ask questions about the person's trafficking history and immigration history to determine whether the trafficking was at least one central reason for the unlawful presence. It is also possible that CBP will treat T nonimmigrants with Advance Parole categorically as eligible to return without any unusual problem. At this point, we simply do not know. Our Current Advice for T Nonimmigrants For now, our advice is: Do not travel internationally unless the trip is truly necessary. If you are not planning to travel soon , there is no reason to call the office or make an appointment about this issue right now. If you believe international travel is essential and you plan to travel soon , please make an appointment with the attorney before leaving the United States so that we can review your individual case. We expect to learn more as CBP begins applying the new rule in actual cases. If it becomes clear that this level of caution is unnecessary for T nonimmigrants, we will publish another update. This post provides general information and is not legal advice. Whether someone has accumulated unlawful presence, whether an exception applies, and whether international travel is safe depends on the person's individual immigration history . Una decisión reciente en materia de inmigración ha cambiado los riesgos de viajar fuera de los Estados Unidos con un Permiso Adelantado de Viaje (Advance Parole) . Durante muchos años, las personas que tenían un Advance Parole aprobado generalmente podían viajar sin que ese viaje activara las prohibiciones de reingreso de tres o diez años por presencia ilegal. Esa regla ha cambiado. Debido a este cambio, algunas personas que ya tienen un documento de Advance Parole aprobado no deben utilizarlo sin antes considerar si han acumulado presencia ilegal. ¿Qué es la presencia ilegal? La “presencia ilegal” generalmente significa el tiempo que una persona permanece en los Estados Unidos sin autorización migratoria legal. Por ejemplo, una persona puede comenzar a acumular presencia ilegal después de: entrar a los Estados Unidos sin inspección; permanecer en los Estados Unidos después de que venza su período de estadía autorizado; o permanecer en los Estados Unidos sin otra forma de protección legal. Existen excepciones importantes, por lo que el simple hecho de estar “fuera de estatus” no siempre significa que una persona esté acumulando presencia ilegal. La cantidad de tiempo de presencia ilegal es importante: Más de 180 días, pero menos de un año: salir de los Estados Unidos puede activar una prohibición de reingreso de tres años . Un año o más: salir de los Estados Unidos puede activar una prohibición de reingreso de diez años . ¿Qué cambió? La Junta de Apelaciones de Inmigración (Board of Immigration Appeals o BIA) recientemente cambió su interpretación sobre los viajes con Advance Parole. Bajo la nueva regla, salir de los Estados Unidos con Advance Parole puede considerarse una salida para efectos de las prohibiciones de reingreso por presencia ilegal. Esto significa que una persona que haya acumulado más de seis meses de presencia ilegal podría salir de los Estados Unidos con un documento válido de Advance Parole y, aun así, crear un problema migratorio grave al salir del país. Es importante señalar que el propio documento de Advance Parole ya contiene una advertencia de que el parole no constituye una admisión a los Estados Unidos , que el viajero seguirá siendo considerado un solicitante de admisión y que el parole para ingresar a los Estados Unidos no está garantizado . USCIS también advierte que la persona sigue estando sujeta a inspección migratoria y que el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) puede negar el parole. Casos de ajuste de estatus basados en la familia Si usted tiene un caso de ajuste de estatus basado en la familia y ha acumulado más de seis meses de presencia ilegal , nuestro consejo actual es: No utilice el Advance Parole para viajar fuera de los Estados Unidos. Esto es cierto incluso si USCIS ya ha aprobado su documento de Advance Parole. Si no está seguro de si ha acumulado presencia ilegal, no asuma que es seguro viajar. Los no inmigrantes T son diferentes Los no inmigrantes T cuentan con una excepción importante bajo las leyes de inmigración. Las prohibiciones de reingreso por presencia ilegal no se aplican cuando la persona puede demostrar que una forma grave de trata de personas fue al menos una razón central de la presencia ilegal de la persona en los Estados Unidos . Debido a esta excepción, es posible que la nueva regla sobre Advance Parole no afecte a muchos no inmigrantes T de la misma manera que afecta a los solicitantes comunes de ajuste de estatus basado en la familia. Sin embargo, todavía no sabemos cómo manejará la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos (CBP) el regreso de no inmigrantes T a los Estados Unidos con Advance Parole. Podrían ocurrir varias cosas. Es posible que un oficial de CBP no comprenda inmediatamente cómo se aplica la excepción de presencia ilegal a los no inmigrantes T y que envíe al viajero a una inspección secundaria . Un oficial podría hacer preguntas sobre los antecedentes de trata de personas y el historial migratorio de la persona para determinar si la trata fue al menos una razón central de su presencia ilegal. También es posible que CBP considere categóricamente que los no inmigrantes T con Advance Parole son elegibles para regresar a los Estados Unidos sin ningún problema fuera de lo común. En este momento, simplemente no lo sabemos. Nuestro consejo actual para los no inmigrantes T Por ahora, nuestro consejo es: No viaje internacionalmente a menos que el viaje sea verdaderamente necesario. Si no tiene planes de viajar próximamente , no hay razón para llamar a la oficina ni programar una cita sobre este asunto en este momento. Si considera que un viaje internacional es esencial y tiene planes de viajar próximamente , programe una cita con el abogado antes de salir de los Estados Unidos para que podamos revisar su caso individual. Esperamos obtener más información a medida que CBP comience a aplicar la nueva regla en casos reales. Si queda claro que este nivel de precaución no es necesario para los no inmigrantes T, publicaremos otra actualización. Esta publicación proporciona información general y no constituye asesoramiento legal. Determinar si una persona ha acumulado presencia ilegal, si corresponde alguna excepción y si es seguro viajar internacionalmente depende del historial migratorio particular de cada persona.

Why Many Immigration Clients Choose My Office

By DeeDee Zepeda • May 15, 2026

Choosing an immigration attorney is an important decision. Many immigrants are looking not only for legal experience, but also for honesty, accessibility, reasonable fees, and clear communication throughout the process. My office is intentionally designed to provide high-quality immigration representation in a way that is more accessible, transparent, and manageable for clients across a wide range of immigration matters. Extensive Experience With T Visa Cases One area of immigration law where my office has significant experience is T visa representation. Over the years, I have represented hundreds of clients in T visa cases and related immigration matters. T visa cases can be especially stressful because they often involve trauma, fear, complicated evidence requirements, and long processing times. Many people are understandably nervous about applying for immigration relief during periods of political uncertainty. Every case is different, and no attorney can guarantee outcomes. However, experience matters. I understand the practical realities of T visa filings, how USCIS processes these cases, and how to navigate requests for evidence, delays, and procedural obstacles that commonly arise. I also recently wrote about why there may still be hope for many strong T visa cases despite the current climate: https://www.alexmcbeanlaw.com/t-visa-update-why-there-is-hope-for-your-case A Remote Practice Designed Around Accessibility My practice is primarily remote, which allows me to represent clients efficiently across multiple states while keeping overhead lower than many traditional brick-and-mortar law firms. Many clients appreciate the convenience of: phone and video consultations, secure online document sharing, electronic communication, and avoiding repeated trips to an office. Of course, I still meet with clients in person when needed or when clients prefer face-to-face meetings. But many immigrants value the flexibility and convenience of remote representation, especially when balancing work, family responsibilities, transportation challenges, or living outside Utah. Flexible Payment Plans for Many Types of Cases Immigration representation can be expensive, and many families cannot afford large upfront legal fees. My office tries to make representation more financially manageable by offering flexible payment plans in many types of cases, including T visas, VAWA cases, and other immigration matters when appropriate. I believe immigrants should have access to honest legal guidance and quality representation without unnecessary financial pressure. Transparency and Communication One of the most common complaints people have about law firms is not knowing what is happening with their case. I believe clients should have clear access to information about their immigration matters. That is why my office regularly uploads important correspondence from USCIS directly into the client’s MyCase portal. Clients can review notices, filing receipts, requests for evidence, and other important updates instead of feeling left in the dark. This transparency helps reduce stress and allows clients to stay informed throughout the process. Cutting Through Bureaucracy and “Red Tape” Immigration cases often involve significant paperwork, documentation requirements, and delays. One of the most valuable parts of experienced legal representation is knowing how to navigate that bureaucracy efficiently. Because I have handled many immigration cases over the years, I understand: how to organize evidence effectively, how to prepare strong filings, how to respond strategically to USCIS concerns, and how to avoid common mistakes that can delay cases unnecessarily. Good organization and careful preparation can make a major difference in helping cases move more smoothly. Educational Guidance Instead of Fear-Based Marketing Immigration law is stressful enough without exaggerated fear or unrealistic promises. I try to provide practical, honest information so clients can make informed decisions about their cases and their future. Through this website and social media, I regularly post immigration updates and educational content designed to help immigrants better understand their options. Using the MyCase Client Portal Current clients can securely access documents and case information through the MyCase client portal. If you are unsure how to use the portal, the following guides may help: English Guide https://supportcenter.mycase.com/en/articles/9369918-client-portal-guide-for-clients Spanish Guide https://www.mycase.com/learning-center/how-to-use-client-portal-spanish/ Contact My Office If you would like to discuss your immigration situation, you can contact my office through the website contact form: https://www.alexmcbeanlaw.com/contact Every immigration case is unique, and speaking with an attorney can help you better understand your options, possible risks, and available paths forward. Por Qué Muchos Clientes de Inmigración Eligen Mi Oficina Elegir un abogado de inmigración es una decisión importante. Muchas personas inmigrantes buscan no solamente experiencia legal, sino también honestidad, accesibilidad, tarifas razonables y comunicación clara durante todo el proceso. Mi oficina está diseñada intencionalmente para ofrecer representación de inmigración de alta calidad de una manera más accesible, transparente y manejable para clientes con distintos tipos de casos de inmigración. Amplia Experiencia en Casos de Visa T Una de las áreas de inmigración en las que mi oficina tiene una experiencia significativa es la representación en casos de visa T. A lo largo de los años, he representado a cientos de clientes en casos de visa T y otros asuntos migratorios relacionados. Los casos de visa T pueden ser especialmente estresantes porque frecuentemente involucran trauma, miedo, requisitos complicados de evidencia y largos tiempos de procesamiento. Muchas personas understandably sienten temor de solicitar beneficios migratorios durante períodos de incertidumbre política. Cada caso es diferente y ningún abogado puede garantizar resultados. Sin embargo, la experiencia importa. Entiendo las realidades prácticas de las solicitudes de visa T, cómo USCIS procesa estos casos y cómo manejar solicitudes de evidencia adicional, retrasos y obstáculos procesales que comúnmente surgen. También recientemente escribí sobre por qué todavía puede haber esperanza para muchos casos sólidos de visa T a pesar del clima político actual: https://www.alexmcbeanlaw.com/t-visa-update-why-there-is-hope-for-your-case Una Práctica Remota Diseñada para Mayor Accesibilidad Mi práctica funciona principalmente de manera remota, lo que me permite representar clientes eficientemente en múltiples estados mientras mantengo costos operativos más bajos que muchos despachos tradicionales con oficinas físicas grandes. Muchos clientes valoran la conveniencia de: consultas por teléfono o video, intercambio seguro de documentos en línea, comunicación electrónica, y evitar múltiples viajes a una oficina. Por supuesto, todavía me reúno con clientes en persona cuando es necesario o cuando el cliente lo prefiere. Pero muchas personas inmigrantes valoran la flexibilidad y conveniencia de la representación remota, especialmente cuando tienen responsabilidades de trabajo, familia, transporte o viven fuera de Utah. Planes de Pago Flexibles Para Muchos Tipos de Casos La representación de inmigración puede ser costosa y muchas familias no pueden pagar grandes honorarios legales por adelantado. Mi oficina trata de hacer la representación más manejable financieramente ofreciendo planes de pago flexibles en muchos tipos de casos, incluyendo visas T, casos VAWA y otros asuntos migratorios cuando sea apropiado. Creo que las personas inmigrantes deben tener acceso a orientación legal honesta y representación de calidad sin presión financiera innecesaria. Transparencia y Comunicación Una de las quejas más comunes sobre algunos despachos de abogados es que los clientes no saben qué está ocurriendo con su caso. Creo que los clientes deben tener acceso claro a la información sobre sus asuntos migratorios. Por eso mi oficina regularmente sube correspondencia importante de USCIS directamente al portal MyCase del cliente. Los clientes pueden revisar notificaciones, recibos, solicitudes de evidencia y otras actualizaciones importantes en lugar de sentirse desinformados. Esta transparencia ayuda a reducir el estrés y permite que los clientes se mantengan informados durante todo el proceso. Ayudando a Superar la Burocracia y la “Red Tape” Los casos de inmigración frecuentemente implican grandes cantidades de documentación, requisitos complicados y retrasos. Una de las partes más valiosas de contar con representación legal experimentada es saber cómo navegar esa burocracia eficientemente. Debido a que he manejado muchos casos de inmigración a lo largo de los años, entiendo: cómo organizar evidencia de manera efectiva, cómo preparar solicitudes sólidas, cómo responder estratégicamente a preocupaciones de USCIS, y cómo evitar errores comunes que pueden causar retrasos innecesarios. Una buena organización y preparación cuidadosa pueden hacer una gran diferencia para ayudar a que los casos avancen de manera más fluida. Orientación Educativa en Lugar de Marketing Basado en el Miedo La ley de inmigración ya es suficientemente estresante sin exageraciones o promesas poco realistas. Trato de proporcionar información práctica y honesta para que los clientes puedan tomar decisiones informadas sobre sus casos y su futuro. A través de este sitio web y redes sociales, regularmente publico actualizaciones migratorias y contenido educativo diseñado para ayudar a las personas inmigrantes a comprender mejor sus opciones. Uso del Portal de Cliente MyCase Los clientes actuales pueden acceder de manera segura a documentos e información de sus casos a través del portal de cliente MyCase. Si no está seguro de cómo usar el portal, estas guías pueden ayudar: Guía en Inglés https://supportcenter.mycase.com/en/articles/9369918-client-portal-guide-for-clients Guía en Español https://www.mycase.com/learning-center/how-to-use-client-portal-spanish/ Contacte Mi Oficina Si desea hablar sobre su situación migratoria, puede comunicarse con mi oficina a través del formulario de contacto en el sitio web: https://www.alexmcbeanlaw.com/contact Cada caso de inmigración es único, y hablar con un abogado puede ayudarle a comprender mejor sus opciones, posibles riesgos y caminos disponibles hacia adelante.

T Visa Update: Why There is Hope for Your Case

By DeeDee Zepeda • April 17, 2026

If you have been a victim of human trafficking, I want to share some encouraging news. While the last year has been difficult, we are seeing positive changes that could help you stay in the United States and get your work permit. Here are six reasons to feel hopeful about your T Visa application right now: 1. More Approvals are Coming In For a while, the government was slowing down cases for small reasons, like how a document was signed. The good news is that I am now receiving more approvals for my clients. When the government looks at the facts of the case, they are still saying "Yes" to victims who qualify. 2. You Might Get a Work Permit Faster In the past, you had to wait for a final decision to get a work permit. Now, some of my clients are getting work permits while their application is still being processed . While this doesn't happen for everyone, it is a huge improvement that can help you support yourself sooner. 3. We Are Overcoming Delays We have learned how to work through the "red tape" and procedural delays that the government has been using. We are successfully moving cases forward even when the system tries to slow them down. 4. Appealing a Denial is Free If the government says "No" to your application, we can fight that decision. Currently, the government does not charge a fee to file an app 5. Staying Out of Immigration Court If you are currently facing deportation (removal proceedings), having a T Visa application pending can help. I have been able to ask the court to administratively close cases. This means many of my clients can avoid going to immigration court entirely while we wait for the T Visa decision. 6. Good Timing for the Future Right now, the government takes about 29 months to make a decision. If we start your case today in April 2026 , your decision will likely come around early 2029 . A new president will take office in January 2029. We are hopeful that the next leader will have even more favorable rules for trafficking victims and will stop the policy of trying to deport people whose applications are denied. Summary: Applying for a T Visa is a long journey, but the doors are opening. By starting now, we protect your future and put you in the best position to benefit from upcoming changes in the law.

Know Your Rights

By DeeDee Zepeda • January 14, 2025

For my clients who would like information about what to do if they are stopped by ICE please read the link below: Para mis clientes que desean información sobre qué hacer si ICE los detiene, lea el siguiente enlace:

T Visas for H2B employees

By DeeDee Zepeda • January 17, 2024

An H2B Visa allows employers to hire nonagricultural employees on a temporary basis in the U.S. Employers must obtain a prevailing wage to ensure workers are paid fairly based on the occupation in which they will work in a geographic location. If you are or have been an employee on an H2B visa and you believe that you are a victim of human trafficking, our office may be able to help you apply for a T visa. Determining whether an H2B employee is a victim of human trafficking requires complex legal analysis and no one factor is decisive. Below are a few of the scenarios we often see in helping clients who have become victims of labor trafficking as an H2B employee: Debt H2B employees may pay fees to an agency to help them with recruitment, placement, and visa processing. The agency may then direct them to state they did not pay any fees when they attend a visa interview when they in fact did. False promises about housing H2B employees may be promised housing only to discover they need to find their own housing once they arrive at the location of employment. Some H2B employees may be forced to pay more for housing than they were originally promised or than is reasonable for the place where they reside. The rent may come as a deduction from their paychecks. False promises about job H2B employees may be promised a specific position in a specific city and state. However, when they arrive, they may discover the job is not as promised. They may have to travel to another state for work or complete work that was not as promised in the original agreement. False promises about visas Some H2B employees may be promised a visa extension or change of status. They may be told they can apply for and work on a tourist visa. H2B employees may pay fees for the visas, but never receive receipts for their applications. They may be confused as to what their legal status is and never receive a clear answer when asking the agency helping them apply. Harsh working conditions H2B employees may be forced to work long hours or complete more work than is reasonable within their scheduled shift. Employers may yell at them to work fast, threaten them if they do not or treat them poorly. In some cases, the H2B employees may be forced to work while sick and never receive a day off work. Underpaid Wages Some H2B employees may not be paid the prevailing wage, or they may not be paid for all of the hours they worked. They may not be paid time and a half for overtime work they have worked or be paid less than they were promised. If you believe you may have been a victim of human trafficking, please contact us for a consultation .

T Visas for J-1 Trainees/Interns

By Alex McBean • October 5, 2023

A T visa gives victims of human trafficking legal status and a work permit for 4 years and after 3 years with a T visa they can apply for lawful permanent residence. The J-1 Program is set up to provide an opportunity for people all around the world to come to the U.S. to work and study, but often J-1 trainees/interns are exploited. If you are or have been a J-1 trainee or intern and you believe that you are a victim of human trafficking, our office may be able to help you apply for a T visa. Determining whether a J-1 intern/trainee is a victim of human trafficking requires complex legal analysis and no one factor is decisive. Below are a few of the scenarios we often see in helping clients who have become victims of labor trafficking as a J-1 trainees/intern: Debt J1 trainees/interns will often pay an agency to help them with recruitment, placement, and visa processing. They charge large fees and may refer J-1 trainees to lending agencies where they can borrow money to pay their fees. Not Rotating to Phases in Training Plan Before coming to the U.S, J-1 trainees are given a training plan with different phases. Each phase details what a J-1 trainee will learn, in what order they will learn and when they will rotate to each phase. After the J-1 trainee arrives in the U.S. their employer doesn’t follow their training plan. Instead, the J-1 trainee works in whatever position the employer places them in often doing low level work rather than receiving the advanced educational training they were promised. Inadequate Living Conditions J-1 trainees/interns are often promised housing. However, upon arrival in the U.S., they may discover they have to live in an unsafe area or in unsanitary conditions. The housing may be crowded with limited beds. Sometimes, the J-1 trainee/intern may have to live in the same building as their employer. Some employers may also tell J-1 trainees/interns that they cannot move and have to live in the housing they provide. Long Work Hours A J-1 trainee/intern may be forced to work more hours than they were promised before coming to train in the U.S. Some J-1 trainees/interns may be forced to work quickly and skip breaks or meals. Underpaid Wages Some J-1 trainees/interns may not be paid for all of the hours they worked. They may not be paid time and a half for overtime work they have worked or be paid less than they were promised before coming to the U.S. Threats Some employers may threaten J-1 workers or mention their status in order to keep them working or under their control. Employers may do this by mentioning a J-1 trainees/interns status or by threatening to fire them if they do not work faster. Sometimes an employer may threaten a J-1 if they complain about their working conditions. If you believe you may have been a victim of human trafficking, please contact us for a consultation https://www.alexmcbeanlaw.com/contact .

J-1 Interns Sue Grand America Hotel

By Alex McBean • June 29, 2019

This week J-1 Interns filed a lawsuit against the Grand America Hotel and Resort in Salt Lake City, Utah: https://www.ksl.com/article/46581429/lawsuit-claims-grand-america-hotel-exploited-immigrants The post J-1 Interns Sue Grand America Hotel appeared first on Alex McBean Law Office.

Welcome to our new website!

By MyCase Websites • June 28, 2019

Welcome to our new website! This site has been professionally designed to be responsive and mobile friendly, so it looks great and is accessible no matter what type or size of device you are using. Our new website also has an integrated Client Portal, meaning you are able access your case documents, correspondence and calendars […] The post Welcome to our new website! appeared first on Alex McBean Law Office.

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¿Qué es la presencia ilegal?

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