Stateless relative - sponsorship even possible?

[pm5k 129]

Unfortunately many countries have complicated political issues. If someone would like to sponsor a relative who is stateless, is there even a way? Does the US issue refugee travel documents to people who are not on US soil first?

[milimelo 4,477]

More details needed - who is the relative and how come the person is stateless?

[aaron2020 11,651]

More information is needed. How did this person become stateless? Where is this person right now? Is this person in a refugee camp? What is the exact familial relationship to the US person? Is the US person a US citizen or LPR?

[newacct 688]

Can't the person's current country of residence issue them a refugee travel document?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Can't the person's current country of residence issue them a refugee travel document?

Yes, that would be the "normal" way.

[pm5k 129]

In this case, the person is a parent of a USC, who is a member of a minority in Pakistan. The local government has refused to renew the parent's national ID card, without which a passport cannot be obtained. A lack of national ID card also means no ability to own property, open bank accounts, attend school, or vote (things that a citizen can do). Legal avenues over there have remained fruitless.

[aaron2020 11,651]

In this case, the person is a parent of a USC, who is a member of a minority in Pakistan. The local government has refused to renew the parent's national ID card, without which a passport cannot be obtained. A lack of national ID card also means no ability to own property, open bank accounts, attend school, or vote (things that a citizen can do). Legal avenues over there have remained fruitless.

The USC can petition the parent the normal way. The parent will have to resolve his/her passport issue. The parent is neither stateless or a refugee. The parent just can't meet local rules to get a passport. There is nothing the US can do to circumvent local laws.

Edited May 14, 2016 by aaron2020

[pm5k 129]

The USC can petition the parent the normal way. The parent will have to resolve his/her passport issue. The parent is neither stateless or a refugee. The parent just can't meet local rules to get a passport. There is nothing the US can do to circumvent local laws.

If all requirements are met, but the local government does not want to give a travel document simply based on ethnic origin, how is that not stateless?

[pm5k 129]

Or does there have to be some official decree stating that "such and such ethnic groups are not citizens" to be considered stateless?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

They are citizens by current Pakistani law, it is the local government who makes things difficult for them by refusing the card. That doesn't make them stateless, it just means the local government are obstructionist.

They will need to try other avenues. Perhaps they can move within the country to somewhere more friendly?

[Boiler 45,467]

How was the child able to get a passport?

[russandraquel 86]

I suspect that contacting a congressperson is the right way to approach this. It seems like safety and human rights are at stake; if the situation is dire enough, move to a district where your representative seems to be responsive to requests like yours.

The same government that allowed your transition to US citizenship is not necessarily the same government that refuses to issue a passport for the beneficiary. Reasons like these are why the current US policy allows for the congressperson to intervene.

[russandraquel 86]

They are citizens by current Pakistani law, it is the local government who makes things difficult for them by refusing the card. That doesn't make them stateless, it just means the local government are obstructionist.

They will need to try other avenues. Perhaps they can move within the country to somewhere more friendly?

This, too.

[pm5k 129]

They are citizens by current Pakistani law, it is the local government who makes things difficult for them by refusing the card. That doesn't make them stateless, it just means the local government are obstructionist.

They will need to try other avenues. Perhaps they can move within the country to somewhere more friendly?

Catch 22, as one needs an ID card to travel between provinces

Edited May 23, 2016 by pm5k

[pm5k 129]

Update: Legal avenues, while long and nerve-wracking, have been productive.  Relative now has a passport.