Gc holder unable to return to US within 1 yr of exit from US due to current travel restrictions

[Daydreamer]

My mom is a gc holder and exited the country on 5 June 2019. Her travel plans have been impacted due to the covid travel restrictions. She was booked to return to the US on 1 may but flts were cancelled. Does not look like she will be able to return within the 1 yr period. What recourse do we have in this scenario

 

[newacct]

There are two options:
1. Assuming her green card is unexpired, she can simply fly to the US and try to enter. She should bring evidence that she maintained residence in the US. There is a good chance the officer will waive the documentary requirement and let her in in this case, especially since it's not much more than a year, it's the first time this happened, and she couldn't return due to flight restrictions. She should make sure not to sign I-407 to give up her green card even if pressured to do so. The officer cannot revoke her permanent residency, and in the worst case can only refer her to immigration court.
2. She can go to a US consulate to apply for an SB1 returning resident visa. Normally this is very difficult to get, but in the current circumstances it may be easier.