You may continue living in the United States while your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is pending. Or, in other words, while you are waiting to receive your green card. However, during this waiting period, you may be restricted from traveling in and out of the United States. Follow along to find out whether you can travel without a green card and how a proficient green card lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, at Sesini Law Group, S.C., can work to ensure you do not jeopardize your immigration status in any way.
Am I allowed to travel without a green card?
It is highly advised that you do not plan to travel in and out of the United States without possessing a valid green card. Specifically, you must physically possess Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card. This is because this form may serve as valid identifying documentation and proof that you can live and work in the United States. Therefore, it may allow you to re-enter the United States. Otherwise, you may encounter issues at immigration checkpoints upon your return. In a worst-case scenario, you may be denied re-entry into the country altogether.
On the other hand, say that you possess a temporary visa type (i.e., F-1, H-1B, B-2 visas, etc). With this, you must be versed on your specific visa’s travel restrictions before traveling in and out of the United States. If you violate any of these guidelines, you may have your visa revoked; you may be denied re-entry into the country; or you may be denied any future visas.
Under what circumstances may I be eligible for advanced parole?
One of the only conditions under which you may be allowed to travel in and out of the United States without a green card is if you qualify for advance parole. Essentially, advance parole may grant you temporary permission to travel back to the United States without having to apply for a visa first or otherwise jeopardizing your immigration status. Rest assured, an airline may accept your advance parole document instead of your visa as proof that you are authorized to re-enter the country. Of note, this document cannot replace your passport.
Without further ado, you may be eligible for advanced parole under any of the following circumstances:
- You are a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
- You are a recipient of Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
- You are a T or U visa holder (i.e., a victim of human trafficking or another crime).
- You have already petitioned for a green card and your application is pending.
In conclusion, there is no better time than the present to act. So please reach out to a talented family immigration lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, from Sesini Law Group, S.C., at your earliest possible convenience.