The Immigration Medical Examination is a mandatory process, one of the invariable parts in the overall Immigration journey. We had spoken some time ago, about the vaccinations that are required to be taken by the Green Card applicant. To refresh our memory, here is a list of vaccinations that are required for immigration purposes:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Influenza Type B
- Measles
- Meningococcal
- Mumps
- Pneumococcal
- Pertussis
- Polio
- Rotavirus
- Rubella
- Tetanus and Diphtheria toxoids
- Varicella
What is to be done if the Immigration applicant does not have a vaccination record?
In such a scenario the panel physician will have to work with the applicant, in order to come to a conclusion as to which vaccinations he or she will need so as to meet vaccination requirements.
Are there any exceptions where the applicant need not receive a listed vaccination?
If the panel physician recommends then certain waivers are available. This will have to be discussed with the panel physician in detail.
Over the years there have been instances of people simply walking up to the US Immigration office, telling the officials about how effective they will be as contributors to the US economy, and expect to get welcomed in. Unfortunately such an occasion rarely occurs.
Instead, people who want to come to the United States, on a temporary or permanent basis, must determine whether they fit into eligibility categories for either permanent residence (a “green card”) or for a temporary stay (“non-immigrant visa”).
The next step is that they must submit an application (in fact, a series of applications is what it usually is!) to one or more US agencies that are responsible for looking after immigration laws. There are agencies like USCIS, which have offices across the United States of America, apart from the US Department of State (DOS).
What does Permanent Residence mean?
If one wants to be able to settle down in the United States permanently then what will be needed is a green card, or permanent residence. Those who hold green cards can reside and be employed in the United States, travelling in and out with a few restrictions. Green card holders cannot vote though, and they can be deported if they abuse their status or break US laws.
WHO MAKES UP THE LARGEST NUMBER OF GREEN CARD ISSUED EACH YEAR?
It is the family members of US citizens who form a large part of green cards that are issued each year. Other instances are investors and workers who have been requisitioned by US employers or have some special skills.
MANDATORY IMMIGRATION MEDICAL EXAM
It is mandatory for all green card applicants to appear for and clear the Immigration Medical Examination. The Immigration Medical Examination is conducted by USCIS-approved Civil Surgeons.
The recently introduced IDNYC card will enable undocumented immigrants to open bank accounts and also enter federal buildings.
The new municipal program recently unveiled in the city of New York is all set to bring in changes for the city’s undocumented population. Although the card can be availed by all residents undocumented immigrants are expected to benefit the most. With an estimated 500,000 undocumented immigrants living in New York city most of its population lives in the shadows of the rising skyscrapers of the metropolis.
Along with receiving a free 1-year membership to the city’s leading cultural institutions the IDNYC card will also enable undocumented immigrants to access state buildings and open bank accounts, with a number of financial institutions, like banks and credit unions.
One of the most tangible benefits stemming from the issuance of the card is legal protection from law enforcement in the case of an arrest. If an undocumented immigrant is arrested it becomes easier for the police to know who the person is, if he possesses an IDNYC card.
LIMITED BENEFITS OF THE CARD
There are some limits to the benefits that the IDNYC brings with it, however. For one, the card will not grant city, state or federal benefits and most importantly, it will not be considered a work authorisation permit. One of the possible solutions could be President Obama’s executive actions on immigration, which could grant temporary legal status to as many as five million undocumented immigrants across the country.
Recently, immigration, civil rights and labour groups came together in a legal effort to defend the recently announced executive action of President Obama, by filing an “Amicus”, or a “Friend-of-the-court” brief. There are 25 states that are currently suing the President over executive action, and these cases will receive their first hearing sometime in January. There are legal experts however, including conservatives who widely agree that the entire process of executive action is legal; in fact, almost every president since Eisenhower has used his powers of office to help affect immigration policy.
The recent Amicus brief was filed by many immigration centres, like the National Immigration Law Centre, the American Immigration Council, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Define American, National Immigrant Justice Centre, New Orleans Workers’ Centre for Racial Justice, Service Employees International Union, Southern Poverty Law Centre, and United We Dream. The amicus brief provided economic, fiscal and moral reasons to support executive action, while also provided effective testimonials that talk about the potential beneficiaries of executive action.
As an executive director of an immigration law centre puts it – “President Obama’s executive action was not just about policy- it was about people. It is sad that a court was asked to block a policy that would keep families together and improve the economy, in fact, any delay to the implementation of the new deferred action initiatives would not only hurt immigrants but it would hurt everybody.”
