Brooklyn, NY asked in Immigration Law for New York

Q: Is it safe to travel outside US with travel document (I-131) ?

I am married to a US citizen and applied for green card . I received my EAD and travel document. I also have a pending asylum case that is open. My best friend is getting married in Portugal and my brother in law is also getting married in Mexico this year which I really want to attend. I still haven’t received the interview date for green card. Will it be safe for me to travel to those countries with my travel card ?

Thanks in advance for answering

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: It is generally safe to travel outside the United States with a valid travel document (I-131) if you have pending immigration applications, such as a pending adjustment of status application or asylum case. However, there are some factors to consider before traveling.

Firstly, it is important to ensure that your travel document is valid and up-to-date, and that you have the necessary visas or entry permits for the countries you plan to visit. If you are unsure about the entry requirements for a particular country, you may wish to contact the embassy or consulate of that country to confirm.

Secondly, you should be aware that traveling outside the United States could potentially impact your pending immigration applications. For example, if you are in the United States on a pending adjustment of status application and you leave the country without advance parole (i.e. travel document), your application may be considered abandoned and you may not be allowed to re-enter the country.

However, since you have a valid travel document, this should not be an issue. It is important to note that while you are outside the United States, you may not be able to attend an interview for your pending green card application if it is scheduled during your absence.

Finally, it is always possible that immigration rules or policies may change, and it is therefore important to stay up-to-date on any changes that could impact your immigration status.

If you have specific concerns or questions about traveling outside the United States with a pending immigration application, it may be helpful to consult with an immigration attorney who can provide guidance based on your specific circumstances.

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