If you are an asylum applicant, asylee (an individual who has been granted asylum), or lawful permanent resident who obtained such status based on your approved asylum application, you are subject to special rules with regard to traveling outside the United States. You may not be able to return to the United States if you leave the country without permission while your asylum petition is still pending, or you may lose your asylee status if you travel to the country of claimed persecution.
Traveling Outside the U.S. as Asylum Applicant
If you applied for asylum in the United States, and your case is pending, your departure from the United States will be considered as if you have abandoned your asylum application. To avoid this, you can apply with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an advance parole before leaving the United States by filing Form I-131. An approved advance parole allows certain aliens to return to the United States without a visa after traveling abroad. However, even approved advance parole does not guarantee that you will be admitted into the United States after your absence. You will have to undergo inspection by an immigration inspector from United States Customs and Border Protection.
Importantly, even with advance parole, if you go the country in which you have been persecuted according to your asylum application, you will be presumed to have abandoned your asylum petition, unless you can explain why you had to go back to the country that persecuted you, and how you were able to return safely. If you do not provide a compelling explanation, your asylum application will be considered abandoned. Your return to the country of claimed persecution can also be considered evidence that your alleged fear of persecution is not genuine, undermining your chances to be granted asylum.
Traveling Outside the U.S. as Asylee
If you have been granted asylum in the United States, you can travel abroad with prior approval of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Such prior approval comes in the form of a refugee travel document. A refugee travel document is valid for one year and is issued to an asylee to allow his or her return to the United States after temporary travel abroad. Generally, the asylee should obtain the refugee travel document prior to departure from the United States, although under certain circumstances refugee travel document can also be issued abroad. Like advance parole, a refugee travel document does not guarantee admission into the United States. Upon your return, you will have to undergo inspection by an immigration inspector from CBP.
Your asylum status may be terminated if you are discovered to have lied on your asylum application. In some circumstances, your return to the country of claimed persecution may be considered evidence that your alleged fear of persecution, based on which you obtained asylum, was not genuine. Upon your return to the United States, you may be questioned about why you had to visit the country of claimed persecution and how you were able to return safely. In some cases, you may become subject to proceedings to terminate your asylum status. Termination of your asylum status may also occur there has been a fundamental change in your country of persecution.
Traveling Outside the U.S. as Green-Card Holder after Asylum
If you are a lawful permanent resident (green-card holder), who obtained such status based on your approved asylum petition, you may travel abroad with refugee travel documents.
However, your underlying asylum status may still be terminated even if you have already become a lawful permanent resident.
If you return to the country of claimed persecution, you may be questioned upon your return to the United States about why you had to visit the country of claimed persecution and how you were able to return safely. In some cases, you may become subject to proceedings to terminate your underlying asylum status and thus your permanent residence.
If you travel to your country of persecution as a green-card holder and then apply for naturalization, you may be questioned during your citizenship interview about why you went to the country of claimed persecution and how you were able to return safely.
As a naturalized U.S. citizen, you may travel freely, including to the country of claimed persecution. However, you should be cautious and assess whether or not you would be in any danger if you visit the country of persecution.
To explore your immigration options, please contact us at (703) 527-1779 or via e-mail: law@islawfirm.com.
