This comes from the USCIS manual used by officers:
(5) Status. Check the application to ascertain the applicant's current status in the United States. Under no circumstances may a permit [refugee travel document] be issued without verification of the applicant's status as a refugee or asylee. The applicant can be either:
• A refugee;
• An asylee;
• A lawful permanent resident who received LPR status as a direct result of his/her asylee/refugee status; or
• A parolee who was paroled in the United States under a refugee program. (See Issues: Paroled, but not as a refugee.)
The best source for verification of status is the alien’s A-file, but if that is not available, you may verify the applicant's status:
• Through USCIS;
• Through RAPS (if the alien is an asylee);
• If the applicant is a LPR, the USCIS record or a photocopy of the applicant's Form I-551 can be used to verify his/her status. The following are acceptable LPR codes for refugees/asylees: RE1, RE2, RE3, RE6, RE7, RE8, R86, IC6, IC7, AS1, AS2, AS3. AS6, AS7, and AS8. This list is not all inclusive, you should check the ADIT manual (M-226) for older codes; or
• By requesting additional documentation from the applicant such as the alien’s Form I-94, the order issued by an immigration judge granting such status or the approval letter or an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued as a result of the applicant having been granted asylum status.
If any doubts exist regarding the alien’s status in the United States, the A-file should be obtained and reviewed. If the file does not contain evidence of refugee or asylee status and the applicant claims such status, you should request a manual search. In emergent cases, you may request verification telephonically. Written verification should follow the telephonic verification.
Normally, once an alien becomes a refugee or asylee, he or she retains that status until he or she becomes a permanent resident. However, under certain circumstances, a refugee or asylee may lose status or voluntarily re-avail him/herself of the protection of his/her country of nationality. In such case, the alien may well lose eligibility for an RTD. (See: Adjudications Issues: Loss of status and Alien re-availed him/herself of protection of country of nationality.)
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(7) Applicant Is Neither an Asylee or a Refugee. If the alien has not previously been found to be a refugee or asylee, check appropriate systems (or send an RFE to the alien) to determine if an I-589 is pending before an immigration judge or an asylum officer. If an I-589 is so pending, hold the I-131 in abeyance pending adjudication of the I-589 and notify the applicant that no decision can be made on the RTD application until one has been made on the asylum application. If no asylum application is pending, deny the application for an RTD (without prejudice to the filing of a new application if the alien is granted asylum) and send him/her an I-589 with instructions to file it with the appropriate service center (if the alien is not in removal proceedings) or with the immigration judge (if removal proceedings have been initiated).
