9 FAM 203.7
Refugee Travel documents
(CT:VISA-421; 07-28-2017)
(Office of Origin: CA/VO/L/R)
9 FAM 203.7-1 Issuance of Refugee
Travel Documents
(CT:VISA-84; 03-07-2016)
DHS issues refugee travel documents on Form I-571, Refugee
Travel Document, in implementation of Article 28 of the United Nations
Convention of July 28, 1951. Form I-571 entitles refugees to return to the
United States, provided such persons have not abandoned their residence, lost
their refugee status, or become excludable. A valid Refugee Travel Document
issued to an asylee, refugee or lawful permanent resident (LPR) should be
regarded as a reentry permit. In some instances, an LPR may be issued a refugee
travel document, but only upon surrender of any prior reentry permit.
9 FAM 203.7-2 Refugees with Other
Travel Documents
(CT:VISA-421; 07-28-2017)
a. Posts are occasionally contacted by aliens who were
admitted to the United States as refugees or who were granted asylum, and who
subsequently departed without obtaining a Form I-571, Refugee Travel Document.
If such an alien has been outside of the United States for one year or less,
the consular officer should refer him or her to the USCIS Office abroad that
has jurisdiction over the persons location, where he or she may be authorized
to file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, to apply for a Form I-571.
USCIS has the discretion to decide whether to accept the Form I-131 filing
abroad. If such an alien has been outside of the United States for more than 1
year, the consular officer may refer him or her to USCIS website for
information on how to apply for parole to return to the United States.
b. Refugees and asylees who obtained a Form I-551, Permanent
Resident Card, and traveled abroad, but who are unable to return due to having
an expired, lost or stolen Form I-551, are not eligible for refugee processing.
If they are not eligible for a waiver of documentary requirements and do not
have an unexpired immigrant visa, reentry permit or other valid entry document,
they are potentially eligible for humanitarian parole. Refer such aliens to
the USCIS website for instructions on how to apply. (See also 9 FAM 202.2-4 for more on LPR travel with Form I-551, including
situations involving expired lost or stolen I-551 cards, boarding foils, and
other documents.)
9 FAM 203.7-3 Extra page inserts
in Refugee Travel Documents
(CT:VISA-84; 03-07-2016)
a. The bearer of Form I-571 may personally request additional
pages from any DHS office upon return to the United States or, if abroad, may
mail the document directly to the DHS office having jurisdiction over the area
where the alien is residing. In the latter case, the DHS will return the
document to a consular office within the DHS area of responsibility for
subsequent forwarding to the applicant.
b. Consular officers may, upon request, attach extra
page extension inserts into Form I-571. The extra page extension consists of an
additional fourfold insert that provides eight additional pages, lettered A
to H, and has a tab for attachment to the main body of the document. The tab
must be glued to page 14 of the document. It does not require a dry seal
impression.
c. To obtain additional inserts, consular officers
should contact the DHS officer at their respective post. If there is no DHS
representation at the post in question, the consular officer should contact the
nearest DHS office.
9 FAM 203.7-4 Lost Refugee Travel
Documents
(CT:VISA-84; 03-07-2016)
When an alien claims to have lost Form I-571, the consular
officer should send a telegram requesting verification to DHS/HQ, Washington,
D.C. (ATTN: HQIAO), the appropriate district director, and the Department
(ATTN: VO/F). The alien's full name, date and place of birth, and the DHS
"A" number if known, must be included in the text of the telegram.
Upon DHS verification of the alien's refugee status, the consular officer
should issue a boarding authorization letter (see 9 FAM
202.3-4(D)). The refugee will be
readmitted to the United States as a parolee, not as a refugee.