child studying outside US after GC

[asurpur]

Hi,

We have GC since June 2000. We sent our 12 year old child to Indian boarding school for his 7th grade studies so he gets exposure to Indian culture. He visits us in US twice a year during vacation. But he got a warning during his first visit at the port of Entry that he cannot study in India if he wants to retain his GC. Why?

Also we have now applied for his reentry permit though he visits us twice a year. Does this help? We want to send him for one more year. Would this be a huge problem?

-Ashwini

[JoeF]

A person has to reside in the US to keep his or her GC.
Temporary absences are allowed, of course.

[asurpur]

Thanks. I am assuming his middle school study in India is a temporary absence and would be considered by INS as such.

[JoeF]

Re: child studying outside US after GC

Could be, since the parents continue to live in the US.
But to be sure, you should check with an immigration lawyer.