Leaving the country without having requested permission will cause the authorities to consider your asylum application abandoned or not allow you to re-enter the United States.
Although it is a common question among many people, asylum applicants and beneficiaries can travel outside the United States under special measures, however, under no circumstances can they leave the country without authorization.
As you can see, they are very different situations. Here we explain everything you need to know about travels of beneficiaries and asylum seekers.
Travels of asylum beneficiaries
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), asylum beneficiaries are subject to special rules in order to travel outside the U.S. Anyone wishing to leave the country must obtain prior authorization through the Refugee Travel Document.
The RTD can be used for travel temporarily abroad, plus, you'll need it for be readmitted to the United States as an asylum seeker.
If you do not get your RTD in advance before your departure, you may not be able to re-enter the United States. On the other hand, removal proceedings may also be initiated in an immigration court.
To request an RTD, an asylee or asylum applicant will have to submit a Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, along with the required fee or a request for a fee waiver under 8 CFR § 103.7(c), to:
Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87131
Lincoln, NE 68501-7131
What happens to the benefit applicants?
According to USCIS, if an asylum seeker has not yet received a decision, he or she should not leave the U.S. without first obtaining an advance permission to re-enter.
Advanced parole, which is requested through Form I-131 allows certain foreign nationals to return to the country without a visa.
If you leave the country without having applied for this permit, the authorities will consider your application abandoned.
On the other hand, the advanced parole it does not guarantee that you will be allowed to re-enter the United States automatically. On the contrary, you must still be inspected by a Customs and Border Protection immigration inspector, who will determine whether the applicant will be allowed to re-enter.
Source: Domínguez, A. (2021, August 13). Asylum: If I already received it or am in the process, can I leave the USA? Conexión Migrante. https://conexionmigrante.com/2021-/08-/13/un-beneficiario-o-solicitante-de-asilo-puede-salir-de-usa/
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