Re-Entering the U.S. After vacation

[newbie87 20]

Just a quick question....I'm traveling back to my home country with my kids for a month visit....since my kids are U.S. Citizen by birth (their father is U.S. citizen) will I need a letter of consent from my husband (the biological father) when traveling overseas with the kids without my husband?

Also I'm a 10 years green card holder, can I just get back into the US with just my green card or do I need anything else? Thank

[Expat1 971]

Both parent's consent is needed to get them passports, not to travel. Enjoy your trip!

You just need your green card to get back in.

Edited December 6, 2015 by Expat1

[newbie87 20]

Thank you very much they have their passport already But which line am I supposed to get on when going through immigration? I'm the green card holder and my kids are U.S. Citizen.....they're both under 5 so I hope they won't split us

[newbie87 20]

I don't need to show my passport to the immigration ?

[p1nkmamba 18]

I would bring a letter anyway. Even crossing into Canada for a weekend visit I need to show I am the sole custodial parent by showing my daughter's birth certificate. We have done it 5 times and I needed that proof all 5 times in order for us to leave the US. Same thing when we went to Europe. I was even asked for it when entering Amsterdam. She has a passport and the card.

[Boiler 45,940]

You will need your passport.

[kzielu 1,149]

Thank you very much they have their passport already But which line am I supposed to get on when going through immigration? I'm the green card holder and my kids are U.S. Citizen.....they're both under 5 so I hope they won't split us

There is one line for citizens and residents. Other one is for visitors typically.

[FabtheFab 67]

I don't know exactly what the biographic part in the US passport is like (does it show parents' information?), but once when I came with my daughter they asked me for her birth certificate so they could verify that I was her mother. She's not a US citizen though.

I think it doesn't hurt to bring at least a birth certificate.

[Hypnos 6,578]

LPRs are not obligated to show their foreign passport to obtain re-entry to the US, only their green card.

[GabbyBird 53]

Thank you very much they have their passport already But which line am I supposed to get on when going through immigration? I'm the green card holder and my kids are U.S. Citizen.....they're both under 5 so I hope they won't split us

Typically, there is a separate line for permanent residents. Last time I was through PHL there were 3 lines. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Foreign Visitors. I was permitted to wait with my wife in the permanent resident line and was processed as a citizen in that line as well (which by the way was 10x faster than the other 2 lines). They accommodate, especially where young children are concerned.

[iamwhatiam80 92]

LPRs are not obligated to show their foreign passport to obtain re-entry to the US, only their green card.

Foreign passport has to be submitted for it to get stamped.

CBP website does mention that it needs only Green card and not the passport.

Edited December 7, 2015 by iamwhatiam80

[Dave&Roza 748]

Thank you very much they have their passport already But which line am I supposed to get on when going through immigration? I'm the green card holder and my kids are U.S. Citizen.....they're both under 5 so I hope they won't split us

If you are arriving at LAX, San Francisco, San Diego, or Seattle, you can use the automated passport control (APC). You will go to a kiosk and enter all the information for you and your kids as a family as it completes the Customs Declaration Form for you--no need to fill one out on the airplane. This is for USC, LPR, Canadians, and some VWP country residents. Once you go thru the APC, you will get either an "X" on your photo or not. A CBP person will look at your form and direct you to the correct line based on having an "X" or not. http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/automated-passport-control-apc has the information on the APC system and which POE have implemented it.

Dave

[NikLR 13,232]

I recommend a letter of travel consent for ANY parent travelling alone with their child OR proof of sole custody, death, or birth certificates. I've travelled a lot with my daughter, and she's travelled with just hwr father and we both have always needed to show this letter when travelling.

[Hypnos 6,578]

Foreign passport has to be submitted for it to get stamped.

CBP website does mention that it needs only Green card and not the passport.

An LPR does not have to show their passport to re-enter the US, only their green card. Period. See 8 CFR 211.1(a) for verification of this.

That being said, I'm not sure what you gain by refusing, but technically you cannot be denied entry for only showing your green card and not your passport along with it.

[Boiler 45,940]

Getting on a plae would be challenging