Will U.S. Immigration Services Offer Special Relief to Permanent Residents Who Return to the United States After Being Abroad for More Than One Year Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic?

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (“CBP”) has not announced any special relief to a lawful permanent resident (“LPR”) who has remained outside the United States for more than one year because of COVID-19 travel and movement restrictions. Currently, an LPR who was remained outside the United States irrespective of his or her reason for doing so are presumed to have abandoned immigrant status and an interviewing CBP officer may determine that he or she is not admissible for admission into the United States upon arrival at the Port of Entry (“POE.”). An LPR who has remained outside the United States for more than one year may either seek relief by applying for an SB-1 Returning Resident Visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate or may travel to the United States and request entry provided his or her Form I-551 (“green card”) has not expired. An LPR who chooses the latter option may have an increased risk of being sent into secondary inspection upon arrival at an air, land, or sea Port of Entry.

If CBP determines that the arriving LPR is not a “returning resident” because he or she has been outside the United States for more than one year, he or she may be deemed to be an “arriving alien” and may be charged as removable from the United States. Upon making such a charge, he or she has the right to request a temporary admission and to be scheduled for a hearing before an immigration judge.

A CBP officer may attempt to convince an LPR to sign a Form I-407 because of prolonged absence from the United States of more than one year. Upon signing a I-407, CBP will also attempt to have him or her returned to his or her original destination. Before signing a I-407, an LPR should note the following:

• An LPR cannot lose his or her status solely because of time spent abroad;
• An LPR remains an LPR unless the government proves abandonment by clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence and a final order of removal is issued by an immigration judge;
• Form I-407 must be signed voluntarily. An LPR may refuse to sign an I-407 without any negative consequences;
• An LPR cannot be forced to return to his or her original destination.

To avoid future travel delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, an LPR who is currently residing in Asia should consult with one of our U.S. immigration attorney in Ho Chi Minh City, Manila and Taipei who can advise how he or she can safely travel internationally and maintain his or her LPR status.

Copyright 2020. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the Enterline Immigration only.