Had a Green card as a child but it expired - now 28, can I reactivate it?

[bartkobe 0]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me with a green card query:

When I was a child I had a Green card (i'm a British citizen) for a number of years. However, when I was 14 my family decided to expire/abandon our green cards as we decided to stay in England long term. I'm now 28 and would really love to relocate to the USA. So I'm wondering if I'm able to 'reactivate' my old green card? Or if there was a way I could fast-track a new application considering that I used to have a green card?

Any advice/tips at all would be greatly appreciated - I can't find any examples on the internet of someone doing something similar.

Many thanks,

P

[Jawaree 718]

After GC card abandonment one has to be re-petitioned

going thru the process as the 1st time with a legitimate

sponsor ,spouse, parents , children, or siblings that are

are USC or through an employer that would sponsor U

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

***** Moving from US citizenship to General Immigration forum ******

Your previous greencard means nothing in terms of getting a new visa/ greencard; you would still need to fulfill the terms of whatever path you choose to move to the USA.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Once the green card was abandoned, it's over and done with. It's now irrelevant and worthless.

You will need another path to immigrate to the US. Your prior green card provides no help since it is worthless.

[DC85 113]

I think the previous answers are not accurate. try to look up for returning resident application in ur local us embassy. if you can proof that you left the states without the intention to abandoned you residency, I think you have a good chance since you left as minor. You can consult with immigration lawyer for help

Google SB-1 Visa

This link has more information regarding SB-1 visa

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1333.html

[aaron2020 11,651]

I think the previous answers are not accurate. try to look up for returning resident application in ur local us embassy. if you can proof that you left the states without the intention to abandoned you residency, I think you have a good chance since you left as minor. You can consult with immigration lawyer for help

Google SB-1 Visa

This link has more information regarding SB-1 visa

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1333.html

Parents make decisions for minors. That's how he got his green card in the first place, his parents decided.

It doesn't matter that he was a minor when he left. His parents were legally able to make the decision for him to abandon the green card.

The argument that he did not intend to abandoned it because his parents (who could make legal decisions for him) prevented a 14 years old from returning to the US is frivolous.

His parents could make the decision for him and it will stick.

While you may think otherwise, you are only hoping without understanding that parents can and do make legal decisions for ther minor children.

Furthermore, what would he show as the conditions beyond his control for the last 10 years when he has been an adult from returning to qualify for the SB-1?

Edited December 8, 2013 by aaron2020

[aleful 1,905]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me with a green card query:

When I was a child I had a Green card (i'm a British citizen) for a number of years. However, when I was 14 my family decided to expire/abandon our green cards as we decided to stay in England long term. I'm now 28 and would really love to relocate to the USA. So I'm wondering if I'm able to 'reactivate' my old green card? Or if there was a way I could fast-track a new application considering that I used to have a green card?

Any advice/tips at all would be greatly appreciated - I can't find any examples on the internet of someone doing something similar.

Many thanks,

P

sorry but you will have to start over when many years have passed. the same thing happened to me. I had a GC when I was a child, my dad died and my mom decided to return to my country when I was 11. I lived 25 years there, married and divorced.

my mom returned and became a USC. she had to file for me. the only thing you maintain is your SS number and your A#, they are for life.

but when many years pass you cannot try to regain your GC. you start over. and I had to wait my turn, 5 1/2 years get a GC again, and as soon as I could, I filed for naturalization and I became a USC in 2010.

[Justine+David 218]

What was the basis for your parents' green card in the first place? Just curious. Are they both British citizens, nothing else?