Anyone know details of "refugee status" in the US and how it works?

Question

My boyfriend is from Sudan, and has refugee status in the US because of the war there. He can work and go to school here legally, and he's been here for 3 and a half years. Right now he's on his first trip back home since he came to the states... sort of a family emergency. He should be home in about 6 weeks.

Anyway, what I'm wondering is whether anyone knows the fine details about refugee status. Does it expire? If so, when? How is the time determined? Once you're a refugee, can you eventually be deported if you don't become an actual citizen within a certain amount of time?

I would ask my bf about this stuff, but obviously he isn't here right now. No one I've asked so far has any clue... so maybe someone here will. Here's hoping... ^__^

P.S. I've asked this before and got people saying he's "on vacation" and "using me." That's not the case at all; but I'm just stating in advance since I learned from before: I'm not asking for your relationship advice. That's not the Q? =)

Well his family was attacked with a car bomb. Fear doesn't get much more credible than that. heh. But I do see what you mean. He actually really did not want to go. It was after his dad insisted for two months. But it's for a specifically urgent reason, and family-related. So hopefully they (whoever "they" are) will understand that.

He's only been in actual Sudan for about a week of this time with his dad. The rest of it is mostly in Kenya (next door). So that doesn't count, I don't think...

Answer 1

According to the information under "refugee" status at the www.uscis.gov site, a refugee is...
"Under U.S. law, a refugee is a person who has fled his or her country of origin because of past persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based upon race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or a membership in a particular social group. If the person is not in the United States, he or she may apply overseas for inclusion within the U.S. refugee program. If the person is already within the United States, he or she may apply for the U.S. asylum program."
Your boyfriend probably applied for refugee status while living in Kenya as a refugee from the war in Sudan.
Since it sounds, from your comments, like most of his family is in Kenya and that is where he has spent most of the time, he may very likely not have any changes in his status. Per the USCIS site.....
"Generally, refugees must be outside their homelands to be eligible for the U.S. refugee program, though the U.S. processes application from refugees in their home countries in a few places. (currently, the U.S. has such programs in Cuba, Vietnam, and the former Soviet Union)."
I think that a lot of the Cuban nationals living in the US under refugee or asylum categories, do not naturalize but do live here as legal alien residents.
. If your boyfriend has refugee status and also has school and work permits, then he has must also have temporary residency status under the label of refugee. I don't think that acquiring US citizenship is a necessity or requirement. In fact, on that same site, there is a section listing the steps and requirements for an
Asylee or Refugee Seeking Lawful Permanent Residence (Form I-485). (There is also a processing timetable available.)
Also, regarding his ability to travel home for family emergency,
he hopefully filed a form I-131 (Application for Travel Document).
Per the USCIS site,
"While your I-485 is pending, you are permitted to travel outside the U.S.; however you must have a valid Refugee Travel Document to reenter the country. You can apply for a refugee travel document by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. Due to new security procedures, allow 150 days prior to beginning travel to obtain a travel document. "

Hope you find this helpful.

Answer 2

You need to ask CIS these questions.

Also your BF should understand that he received his status based on his credible fear of going home. If he then goes home for visits, he risks losing his refugee status since he's obviously not in danger when he goes there.