I-485 Approved, Int'l Travel with passport from country of citizenship isn't possible?

[Loxias44 0]

I have a question about international travel when a LPR cannot get a passport from their country of citizenship.

 

Brief background:

 

My husband came to the US from Saudi Arabia about 20 years ago on a student visa.  He eventually applied for political asylum, was denied but granted withholding of removal.  We were married just over 3 years ago and just received notice last week that his I-485 had been approved.

 

We're going to try to get his original passport back that he surrendered when he applied for asylum, but aren't sure if USCIS even still has it.  Even if we're able to retrieve that original passport, we're not sure if he'll be able to renew it as he has not been back in KSA in nearly 20 years -- he's not sure he could apply for a new one easily either.

 

In the event he is unable to get his original passport back / renew and cannot apply for a new one, are there methods of identification that would allow him to travel internationally?  He certainly plans on naturalizing once he's able, but we'd like to travel sooner than that if at all possible.  

I've read some information regarding the I-131, but I'm not sure it applies in his situation as he was never granted asylee or refugee status.  

 

Thanks!

[Jojo92122 1,924]

Your husband will need a passport to travel internationally.  Contact the Saudi Arabia Embassy on how to replace his passport.

 

Since your husband's I-485 has been approved, he will be a green card holder.  He will not need the I-131.  Furthermore, the I-131 does not alleviate the need for a passport.