India, Aug. 14 -- A new Board of Immigration Appeals ruling has changed a long-standing interpretation of advance parole, potentially putting some immigrants at risk of three- or 10-year US re-entry bars if they leave the country after accruing more than 180 days of unlawful presence.

The decision, issued August 13 in Matter of Delcarmen-Lara, overturns a 2012 BIA precedent that had allowed certain foreign nationals with unlawful presence to travel internationally on advance parole without triggering the unlawful presence bars.

Advance parole is a travel authorization that can allow certain people with pending immigration applications or specific immigration protections to leave the United States and seek permission to return while thei...