Solicitud de Documentos de Viaje, Documentos de Permisos de Permanencia Temporal, Registros de Entrada/Salida - USCIS (.gov)
Key Takeaways
- USCIS posted Spanish-language guidance on how to request travel documents, parole records, and arrival/departure (I-94) histories.
- Applicants seeking permission to travel must generally file Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) for advance parole, reentry permits, or refugee travel documents.
- I-94 arrival/departure records are issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and can be retrieved online; older records may require a FOIA request.
- Copies of past parole or travel documents may be obtainable through USCIS FOIA if they are in an individual’s A-file.
- Leaving the U.S. without proper travel authorization can jeopardize pending applications; check current fees and processing times before filing.
What USCIS’s Spanish page covers
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has published Spanish-language guidance titled “Solicitud de Documentos de Viaje, Documentos de Permisos de Permanencia Temporal, Registros de Entrada/Salida,” outlining how immigrants and their representatives can request travel documents, parole-related records, and entry/exit histories. While the page is informational, it points applicants to the right pathways: Form I-131 for new travel authorization, CBP tools for I-94 records, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) channels for copies of past documents held in government files. The update helps Spanish-speaking users navigate a complex landscape where multiple agencies—primarily USCIS and CBP—share responsibilities.
How to request or replace these documents
For those who need permission to travel, Form I-131 remains the core application. It covers advance parole (often used by applicants with a pending green card application, as well as some DACA and TPS holders), reentry permits for permanent residents planning extended trips abroad, and refugee travel documents for refugees and asylees. Biometrics are typically required for reentry permits and refugee travel documents. Importantly, USCIS cautions that advance parole is discretionary and does not guarantee reentry; CBP makes admission decisions at the port of entry. Applicants with a pending Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) who depart without approved advance parole usually abandon that application, a trap that continues to catch unwary travelers.
For entry/exit histories, CBP—not USCIS—issues Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). Most recent I-94s can be accessed and printed at the CBP I-94 website; older, paper-era records may require a FOIA request to CBP. If copies of past travel or parole documents (for example, older advance parole authorizations or parole documents used at entry) are needed to support an immigration filing, they may be available in an individual’s A-file and obtainable via a USCIS FOIA request submitted online or with Form G-639. Applicants should verify current USCIS fees using the agency’s fee calculator and consult posted processing times, which vary widely by document type and workload.
What this means for applicants right now
Spanish-speaking applicants now have clearer, centralized instructions on which form to use, which agency to contact, and how to retrieve records that can be pivotal for green card processing, naturalization, or compliance with status requirements. The practical impact is significant: a DACA or TPS holder can better understand when advance parole is necessary; a permanent resident can plan a long trip abroad with a reentry permit; a refugee or asylee can request a refugee travel document; and anyone preparing an application can gather I-94 history and parole records through the correct channels. Given recent fee changes and persistent backlogs, planning ahead—before buying tickets or committing to travel—is essential, and legal advice may be prudent for those with prior immigration violations, removal orders, or complex histories.
Source: Original Article