THE U.S. REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT (FORM I-571) ASYLEE TRAVEL GUIDE

OVERVIEW OF PUERTO RICO,  A UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES Puerto Rico, the Spanish for "Rich Port" officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In 1898, following the Spanish-American War, the United States acquired Puerto Rico under the terms of the Treaty of Paris.  Puerto Ricans have been citizens of the United States since 1917, and enjoy freedom of movement between the island and the mainland. As Puerto Rico is not a state, Puerto Rico does not have a vote in the United States Congress, which governs the territory with full jurisdiction under the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act of 1950.  LGBT Rights In Puerto Rico LGBT people that lives in Puerto Rico have gained several rights in recent years.  Same sex relationships have been legal in Puerto Rico since 2003, and same sex marriage and adoptions are also permitted.Federal U.S. hate crime laws apply in Puerto Rico Are you an asylee travelling to Puerto Rico?...

Entry and Exit Stamp of a Foreign Country in a U.S. Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571) A person with a refugee or asylum status who wishes to travel outside the United States needs a Refugee Travel Document in order to return to the United States. In most cases, a refugee or asylee may use the Refugee Travel Document for travel in place of a passport. The Refugee Travel Document is similar in appearance to a U.S. Passport. ***   HOW DO I APPLY FOR A REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT? To apply for a Refugee Travel Document, file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. Filing instructions and forms are available on United States Immigration website at www.uscis.gov . Follow the instructions on the form carefully.  HOW LONG IS A REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT VALID? A Refugee Travel Document is valid for up to 1 year.  CAN I TRAVEL BACK TO THE COUNTRY WHERE I EXPERIENCED PAST PERSECUTION OR CLAIM A FEAR OF FUTURE PERSECUTION? Yes. However, if you have been grante...

OVERVIEW OF HAWAII, THE U.S. 50TH STATE  HAWAII nicknamed the "The Aloha State" is the 50th state and the most recent state to have joined the United States, having received statehood on August 21, 1959.  Hawaii is the only U.S. state located in Oceania, the only U.S. state located outside of North America, and the only one composed entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean. Official languages are English and Hawaiian.  If you are an asylee travelling to Hawaii, You are required to present the following to get through the security check-point:  - Your boarding pass, and  - A government issued ID (Driver's License, State ID or U.S. Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571). *   Please bear in mind, travel to Hawaii is considered a domestic flight and requires only a Driver's License or a State ID, because travelling to Hawaii is like travelling to ...

If you were admitted as a refugee or granted asylum (asylee) and are applying for adjustment of status (Form I-485) one year after that, you can travel outside the United States on a valid U.S. Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571) and don't have to apply for an Advance Parole. Page 17 of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status indicates that Asylees only need a U.S. Refugee Travel Document while their application is pending with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. ASYLEES DON'T NEED AN ADVANCE PAROLE, ONLY A U.S. REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT WITH A PENDING FORM I-485. Asylees adjustment of status is under Immigration and Nationality Act Section 209 because you were admitted as a refugee or granted asylum (asylee), you may travel abroad and return to the United States with a refugee travel document. You may obtain a refugee travel document by filing Form I-131 as specified in the Form I-131 Instructions. However, see...

OVERVIEW OF CANADA  Canada is a country in the northern part of North America.Its capital is Ottawa, and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.  Canada is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II being the head of state.  LBGT RIGHTS IN CANADA  Lesbian, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Canada are some of the most advanced in the Americas and in the world. Same-sex sexual activities has been lawful in Canada since June 27, 1969, when the Criminal Law Amendment Act came into force upon royal assent.  Canada has frequently been referred to as one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, with its largest cities featuring their own gay areas and communities, and being named among the most gay-friendly cities in the world.  REQUIREMENTS FOR ASYLEES TRAVELLING TO CANADA If you possess a U.S. Refugee Travel Document ...

WHAT IS SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION? Registration is a way the Government of the United States keeps a list of names of men from which to draw in case of a national emergency requiring rapid expansion of our Armed Forces. By registering all young men, Selective Service ensures that a future draft will be fair and equitable.  All males in the United States between 18 and 26 years of age are required to register for the draft. Asylees are not exempt.   Failure to register may have implications for asylees when he applies to become a U.S. Citizen. Information about the Selective Service can be found at www.sss.gov .  Important Questions Regarding Selective Service Registration: I am applying for U.S. Citizenship. When do I need to get a status information letter from Selective Service? You only need to get a status letter if you did not register and are age 26 to 31. No letter is required if you are age 31 or older. If you are under age 26,...

Lesbian, gay , bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights in the Netherlands have been some of the most progressive in the world. The Netherlands has become one of the most culturally liberal countries in the world, with recent polls indicating that more than 90% of Dutch people support same-sex marriage.  Amsterdam has frequently been named one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the world, famous for its many accommodations specifically pertaining to the LGBT community including its many gay bars, bathhouses, hotels and venues as well as Pink Point, which provides LGBT friendly information and souvenirs, and the national Homomonument, which was completed in 19 87 to commemorate homosexuals who were persecuted and killed during World War II.  An asylee or a permanent resident who obtained such status as a result of asylum can travel with a U.S. Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571) to the Kingdom of Netherlands visa free.  If you possess a U.S. Refugee Travel Do...