Asylum granted in '96... AOS issues?

[kukumjacka]

Need a little help... My case has a slight complication because of the time asylum was granted and what has happened since then. My country, Yugoslavia, no longer exists. Instead, now Kosovo does. I was a political refugee fro Yugoslavia, and am of Ethnic Albanian descent. Never actually applied for AOS, several reasons to cite but none of them really of any great importance. Regardless, I am now in the position when I definitively need to apply. It has been a long time, I've finished college, worked and continue to work, bought a house. Been out of the country with RTD a few times, no issues coming back, except for last time when they stamped the I94 with "Must obtain prior permission to return before leaving US again" or something along these lines.

Would I have any issues with applying for AOS? I suspect the length of time passed would come up in the interview, if there is one to be had...

[kukumjacka]

Nobody knows?

[zoom123]

Hi, I posted two time and it's not getting post to your thread. I am sorry.

You got asylum and you never applied for AOS? If you didn't apply till now you must do so as soon as possible.

For traveling abroad as a asylee you must obtain a prior authorization called travel document aka Advance Parole.

Please see the below instructions from USCIS

USCIS may issue a Refugee Travel Document, Form I-571, to aliens who are refugees or asylees, or who obtained permanent residence based on refugee or asylum status, and who have made application for the refugee travel document using Form I-131. The refugee or asylee uses the Refugee Travel Document for travel purposes in place of a passport.

Since you have been granted asylum or refugee status, we do not expect you to try to get a passport from your country of origin. Until you become a permanent resident, you may apply to USCIS for a special travel document called a Refugee Travel Document. This document can substitute for a passport for travel purposes. You should apply for this document before you leave the U.S. The application is Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.

The instructions to the I-131 application explain how to file, and other aspects of the process, in greater detail. You can read and print the form and instructions from our website at. If you don’t have it otherwise, check with your public library about internet access to use our website. If you’d prefer to have them mailed to you, please call 1-800-870-3676.

A person with refugee or asylum status who wishes to travel outside the United States requires a Refugee Travel Document in order to return to the U.S. and maintain his/her status.

In most cases, a refugee or asylee may use the Refugee Travel Document for travel purposes in place of a passport. Individuals who are lawful permanent residents as a direct result of receiving refugee or asylum status may also obtain a Refugee Travel Document. The Refugee Travel Document is somewhat similar in appearance to a U.S. passport.

You are lucky the officers let you enter US ( May be on the basis as your Country no longer exist).
Next time be sure to take travel document with you when you travel abroad.
Best of luck.

[kukumjacka]

Thanks for the reply.
I need to leave the country for some time, and get back in, that is correct. And in the mean time, I will apply for adjustment of status. While I don't think I will have any issues getting back in, there's always Mexico with very loose border controls, my concern is for the Green Card. I was reading that based on the change of country conditions, since my initial reasons for asylum no longer exist, immigration does retain the right to revoke my asylum and send me back to the immediate geographical region I come from. However, I also read that this is a very complex procedure which has not been exercised in over 20 years. Now I do doubt they'll kick up too much fuss for me, since I don't have a record, have been paying taxes, working, helping the economy and the housing market, but there is always a concern... maybe someone who's been in my position would care to share their experience.