Is there a time limit for a child to adjust their status after entering the U.S.?

Yes, there is a time limit for a child to adjust their status after entering the United States. In California, the time limit is generally 90 days. After the 90 days, a child can no longer adjust their status and will have to depart the United States. This is known as the “90 day window.” In order to take advantage of the 90 day window, a child must first apply for admission at a U.S. port of entry. If admitted, the child may file an application to adjust status to that of a lawful permanent resident (LPR). This application must be filed within 90 days of the child’s entry. If the application is approved, the child can become an LPR and remain in the US indefinitely. Any child who is not able to adjust his or her status within the 90 day window may request permission to extend their stay in the U.S. This permission must be requested from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to the 90 day mark. If granted, a child may remain in the U.S. in a temporary status until the adjustment of status is approved. If a child fails to apply for adjustment of status within 90 days or fails to obtain an extension of their stay, they must depart the United States. If they fail to depart within the specified time frame they may be subject to deportation proceedings.

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La respuesta a la pregunta sobre si existe un límite temporal para que un niño ajuste su estado tras entrar a los Estados Unidos, depende de las situaciones del niño. En la ley de inmigración de California, un niño extranjero tiene 24 meses para presentar una petición para ajustar su estado, pero hay excepciones. Una excepción es el Programa para los Niños Abandonados (Abandoned Child Petition, por sus siglas en inglés). Si un niño entra a los Estados Unidos y su padre que resida en el extranjero no los acompaña, el niño puede presentar una solicitud para ajustar su estado a menos de 24 meses. También hay otra excepción para los niños a quienes se les impone una restricción de edad a su petición. Estos se llaman los "niños estancados" y bajo el programa de los Niños Estancados, estos pueden presentar una petición en cualquier momento hasta los 21 años. Finalmente, algunos niños también pueden ajustar su estado bajo el DACA. Los niños que cumplan con los requisitos del alivio de acción diferida pueden solicitar el ajuste de estatus sin ningún límite de tiempo. En resumen, aunque hay un límite de 24 meses para que un niño ajuste su estado tras entrar en los Estados Unidos, hay excepciones disponibles para aquellos que no cumplen con los criterios aplicables, como el Programa para los Niños Abandonados, el Programa de los Niños Estancados o el alivio de acción diferida.

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