Travel and Immigration Authorization for a Minor Child

[Cynthia27 0]

Hello,

My step-daughters, ages 11 and 18, have their interview for permanent residency (green cards) in Ciudad Juarez. They are Mexican citizens. I am a US Citizen. My husband and the girls' biological mother never married. My husband's name is on both of his daughters' birth certificates. My step-daughters have always lived with my husband's parents. There is no formal custody agreement between my husband and the biological mother. The biological mother does not pay child support or otherwise finacially contribute to the girls' upbringing.

After the interview, provided all goes well, I plan to travel with my step-daughters across US-Mexico the border to El Paso, and then fly to our home so that the girls can have a visit. They will not be permanently moving here until January.

I have several questions that I am hoping someone can answer:

1. Will the US Consulate in Juarez require a notarized letter from the biological mother granting permission for the 11-year old to live permanently in the USA? For the 18-year old?

2. At the border crossing, do I need a notarized letter from the biological mother and from my husband giving permission for me to travel with the 11-year old across the border? If this permission is necessary, what information should be included in the authorization-to-travel letter?

3. Do I need to bring to the interview proof that my husband has a relationship with his children? If so, what proof is necessary?

4. Will I be allowed to attend the interview with them?

5. What questions will they ask my step-daughters during the interview?

Much thanks for any information that you can offer.

Thank you,

Cynthia

[NickD 203]

Hello,

My step-daughters, ages 11 and 18, have their interview for permanent residency (green cards) in Ciudad Juarez. They are Mexican citizens. I am a US Citizen. My husband and the girls' biological mother never married. My husband's name is on both of his daughters' birth certificates. My step-daughters have always lived with my husband's parents. There is no formal custody agreement between my husband and the biological mother. The biological mother does not pay child support or otherwise finacially contribute to the girls' upbringing.

After the interview, provided all goes well, I plan to travel with my step-daughters across US-Mexico the border to El Paso, and then fly to our home so that the girls can have a visit. They will not be permanently moving here until January.

I have several questions that I am hoping someone can answer:

1. Will the US Consulate in Juarez require a notarized letter from the biological mother granting permission for the 11-year old to live permanently in the USA? For the 18-year old?

2. At the border crossing, do I need a notarized letter from the biological mother and from my husband giving permission for me to travel with the 11-year old across the border? If this permission is necessary, what information should be included in the authorization-to-travel letter?

3. Do I need to bring to the interview proof that my husband has a relationship with his children? If so, what proof is necessary?

4. Will I be allowed to attend the interview with them?

5. What questions will they ask my step-daughters during the interview?

Much thanks for any information that you can offer.

Thank you,

Cynthia

Another country dependent question, can say in Colombia and Venezuela, the 18 year old is free to come, but still under the USCIS 21 year unmarried child limit. For the eleven year old, regardless of the circumstance in those two countries, the fathers permission is still required. Not sure about Mexico, call your consulate to learn the requirements for your country. Do know the USCIS wants to see a piece of paper and that may be not a very easy piece of paper to get.

[Mononoke28 135]

Hello,

My step-daughters, ages 11 and 18, have their interview for permanent residency (green cards) in Ciudad Juarez. They are Mexican citizens. I am a US Citizen. My husband and the girls' biological mother never married. My husband's name is on both of his daughters' birth certificates. My step-daughters have always lived with my husband's parents. There is no formal custody agreement between my husband and the biological mother. The biological mother does not pay child support or otherwise finacially contribute to the girls' upbringing.

After the interview, provided all goes well, I plan to travel with my step-daughters across US-Mexico the border to El Paso, and then fly to our home so that the girls can have a visit. They will not be permanently moving here until January.

I have several questions that I am hoping someone can answer:

1. Will the US Consulate in Juarez require a notarized letter from the biological mother granting permission for the 11-year old to live permanently in the USA? For the 18-year old?

2. At the border crossing, do I need a notarized letter from the biological mother and from my husband giving permission for me to travel with the 11-year old across the border? If this permission is necessary, what information should be included in the authorization-to-travel letter?

3. Do I need to bring to the interview proof that my husband has a relationship with his children? If so, what proof is necessary?

4. Will I be allowed to attend the interview with them?

5. What questions will they ask my step-daughters during the interview?

Much thanks for any information that you can offer.

Thank you,

Cynthia

Cynthia,

I'm not sure about Mexico but I assume it's the same in most countries when it comes to letting children leave a country for another. In Colombia for example a recent notarized permission slip is needed at the time of travel from both parents (if not present), it is not needed at the embassy however. So if your husband is not traveling with you, you will most likely need a written, signed and notarized permission document from each parent for the 11 year old. The 18 year-old is considered an adult, so she can travel freely.

If you're the petitioner, you will be allowed to attend the interview, all you need is your US passport to get in. Again, each embassy is different, so find out beforehand.

Diana