Is a child able to travel outside of the U.S. while their application for a green card is in process?
In California, a child is able to travel outside of the U.S. while their application for a green card is in process. However, the child should carry certain documents to show that they are legally present in the country when traveling. These documents can include an I-551 stamp or an I-797C notice, which is a receipt from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding the filing of their green card application. It is highly recommended that the child also carry their permanent resident card (green card) or the receipt for their application, if the card has not yet been issued. It is also important to keep in mind that the child’s travel abroad must be consistent with the purpose of the green card application. If the child is traveling for any other purpose, such as vacation or to visit family, they may represent that they are an immigrant rather than an applicant, even if they do have the required documents. This could lead to complications and a delay in the green card application process. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the child’s travel is consistent with the reason for their green card application.
THELAW.TV ofrece respuestas en español a todas las preguntas sobre la ley de inmigración.La respuesta a la pregunta es depende. Los menores de edad que buscan una tarjeta verde tienen la opción de solicitar una autorización de viaje. Esta autorización, conocida como «formulario I-131A», se puede presentar junto con la solicitud de tarjeta verde para obtener un permiso temporal para salir del país. El formulario I-131A es para aquellos niños cuyos padres tienen ciudadanía estadounidense o una tarjeta verde por lo que el niño puede legalmente regresar a los EE. UU. una vez haya terminado el viaje. Sin embargo, si el niño está en el proceso de la solicitud de tarjeta verde, el regulación de inmigración requiere que el niño presente una autorización firmada por los dos padres para viajar, además del Formulario I-131A. Esto se debe a que el proceso de solicitud de una tarjeta verde puede tomar su tiempo y es posible que el menor de edad haya cumplido 18 años antes de que el caso se resuelva. Por lo tanto, si el niño está esperando la adjudicación de su tarjeta verde, este debe obtener una autorización de viaje antes de emprender cualquier viaje fuera de los EE. UU.
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