It is very important that asylees and refugees understand the immigration rules regarding travel, since they are subject to restrictions that do not apply to other immigrants.  Aliens paroled into the U.S. under refugee or asylum status, and green card holders whose status was obtained through the procedures for refugee or asylum applicants, must obtain a Refugee Travel Document prior to departing the United States.  Many people are unaware of this requirement.   Another very important restriction on travel is found in INA Section 208(c)(2)(D); 8 U.S.C. Section 1158(c)(2)(D), which provides that a person that applied for asylum or refugee status after April 1, 1997 who, prior to obtaining a green card, travels to the country in which the person was persecuted may have his or her status terminated.   The rule was implemented because the government believes that an asylee or refugee that voluntarily avails himself/herself to the protection of the country where the persecution took place no longer fears persecution from that country.  Thus, a person that obtained asylum or refugee status based on an application that was filed on or after April 1, 1997 should NOT travel to the country of persecution.  The refugee travel document is valid for only one (1) year.

Should you have any questions regarding your immigration matters, please contact the experienced immigration attorneys of Smith & Garg at 562-590-7300 or call our toll-free number at 877-517-4275.  You can also submit an inquiry through our Long Beach Immigration Online Inquiry.