Is a child able to travel outside of the U.S. while their application for a green card is in process?

In Virginia, the answer to the question of whether a child can travel outside of the U.S. while their application for a green card is in process is yes, they can travel. However, it is important to understand that the child must have a valid passport and any other necessary documents such as a Visa in order to enter another country besides the U.S. Also, the child must have permission from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before leaving the United States, which can be granted with a special permit called an Advance Parole. This special permit will allow the child to leave the U.S. and re-enter while their green card application is in process, but there is no guarantee that they will be allowed to come back into the U.S. after their trip. This is because their application for a green card has not yet been approved and the U.S. has the right to not allow them to come back into the country. Therefore, if a child plans to travel outside of the U.S. while their green card application is in process, they must make sure to be granted an Advance Parole from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in order to be allowed to re-enter into the U.S. once their trip is over.

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La respuesta a la pregunta es sí, un menor de edad puede viajar mientras está en proceso su solicitud de tarjeta verde. En Virginia existen ciertas leyes específicas para los inmigrantes menores de edad que les habilita a viajar al extranjero con una autorización especial. Los menores de edad deben solicitar la Autorización de Viaje Rural (RTA), previa autorización de su padre o tutores legales. Esta autorización ofrece protección legal a los padres/tutores y al menor de edad al dar acceso a los países extranjeros para el menor, mientras se procesa la aplicación de su tarjeta verde. El requisito para la aprobación de la RTA es tener una buena razón para viajar, como reunirse con familiares en el extranjero o realizar tratamientos médicos. La aplicación debe incluir los datos del menor de edad y de sus padres, la dirección en el país al cual viajan, el motivo y la duración del viaje, así como la información del acompañante. Una vez aprobado la RTA, los padres/tutores deben guardar el documento para su presentación ante agentes aduanales en los aeropuertos. Es importante señalar que, si el menor de edad regresa a Estados Unidos y su aplicación de residencia permanente aún no se ha completado, el menor puede correr el riesgo de no poder reingresar.

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