I am a teacher born in England with permanent residence status in the U.S., currently teaching abroad in China. I know that I need to enter the U.S. again before a year is up but nowhere can I find the exact definition of what is the U.S. My original plans were to go to Hawaii for a week as I'm assuming 1 of the 50 has to qualify as entering the U.S. Obviously I want to travel the shortest distance as I intend to teach here for at least another year. Can anyone tell me or point me in the right direction as far as what or if any U.S. territories such as the Philippines would be considered entering the "U.S." and thus maintain my Permanent Residence status?