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  • What Immigration Applicants Should Know About the I-693 Form
  • Although it is the Civil Surgeon who completes the I-693 form after the Immigration Medical Examination is completed, it is important for visa applicants to know exactly what the I-693 form contains, and how it should be correctly filled up. The main objective is to correctly complete Form I-693 the first time. Spending time in the beginning to ensure that the form is correctly filled up and completed by the Civil Surgeon will save a lot of time later. This will help to reduce chances that the form will be returned by USCIS later on. This will ultimately save time for Civil Surgeons, applicants and USCIS as a whole.

    COMPLETING THE I-693 FORM AFTER THE IMMIGRATION MEDICAL EXAMINATION: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW – PART 1

    Part 1 of the I-693 form should be completed by the Immigration Applicant.

    In special circumstances the Civil Surgeon may complete the I-693 form for the applicant. This is as long as applicants review the accuracy of information filled in the form, before he or she signs the off on the Applicant’s Certification form.

     WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE DISCREPANCIES

    If there are disparities between Part 1 of the form and the applicant’s identification presented Civil Surgeons will make annotations in the form.

     HOW THE APPLICANT SHOULD COMPLETE FORM I-693

    1.  Applicants should not sign on the form, until directed to do so by the Civil Surgeon,  and after he or she has met all health follow-up requirements.

    2. For child applicants who are under 14 years old parents or legal guardians may sign Form I-693 for the applicant.

    3. Those who are over 14 years of age must sign on the form. (in the bottom left hand corner).

    We shall give you more details on how to ensure that the I-693 form is to be filled up when we meet you next. See you soon!

  • What to Expect During the Medical Exam for A U S Green Card
  • The main objective of the medical examination is to make sure that a green card visa aspirant does not have any major diseases, serious or communicable. The Immigration Medical examination also checks for mental disorders, drug problems or any other serious problems that could render the applicant inadmissible to the USA, making the person ineligible for a visa or a green card.

    The Civil Surgeon will also make sure that you have received all the required vaccinations. What the doctor will not do however, is to give you a general physical, or tell you about your inherent health conditions that fall beyond the areas of interest to the US Immigration authorities.

     IS THERE ANY OFFICIAL LIST OF DISEASES OR DISORDERS FOR THE VISA APPLICANT?

    There is no official list of diseases or disorders that determine the visa applicant’s admissibility. However, what is usually done is that the examining doctor will determine whether the applicant’s condition or overall behaviour is “likely to pose a threat or danger to the property, safety or welfare of the alien or to other people.” At present, the top diseases on the hit list of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention are infectious tuberculosis, untreated venereal and other sexually transmitted diseases, apart from Hansen’s disease (leprosy). HIV was taken away from the list in January, 2010.

     WHAT ARE NOT INADMISSIBLE ON MEDICAL GROUNDS

    Diseases like heart disease, cancer or certain mental conditions and illnesses will not render the applicant inadmissible on medical grounds. But there is a possibility that the applicant could be found inadmissible on a public charge.

    VACCINATIONS ON ENTERING THE COUNTRY ON A FIANCE VISA

    If the applicant enters the US on a fiancé visa then he or she has a choice of either getting the vaccines as part of the immigration medical exam, or as a part of the medical exam that one has to take when the applicant applies for the green card later on.

  • SOME MYTHS ABOUT UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS BUSTED!
  • With the recent executive action stated to be in the offing by President Obama millions of undocumented immigrants will be protected from deportation. But there are some misconceptions about undocumented immigrants, and here they are, with why they are wrong:

     Myth # 1: Undocumented immigrants do not pay taxes.

     This cannot be further from the truth. The fact is, undocumented immigrants are already paying their taxes. In the year 2010 they collectively paid an estimated 10.6 billion in state and local taxes, according to an institute on taxation in the United States. The contributions varied from state to state, with an average of 6.4% of the immigrants’ income being paid in as taxes – both state and local. A 2007 report states that around 50% to 75% of the 11 million unauthorized US immigrants file and pay their income taxes each year.

     Estimates state that allowing immigrants to stay in the country and work legally would help to boost state and local tax contributions by $2 billion every year, which could significantly help to reduce deficits and improve revenue.

     Myth # 2: Undocumented immigrants do not pay into Social Security.

    The reality is that undocumented immigrants contribute more in payroll-related taxes than what they will ever consume in public benefits. According to the Social Security Administration undocumented immigrants have paid a mind-boggling $100 billion into the fund over the last 10 years. According to the body they are paying an approximate $15 billion a year into Social Security with no option of ever seeking benefits. The truth is that without the estimated 3.1 million undocumented immigrants paying into the system Social Security would have entered into a persistent shortfall of tax revenue.

    Without the presence of immigrants, the Social Security Board of Trustees estimates that the system will no longer be able to pay up the promised benefits by the year 2037.

    easyIME likes to share information of US immigration, USCIS and Immigration News and it is first of its kind to cater for Immigration community to US. easyIME has stretched its hands in field Green card Medical Exam by making easy for the Immigrant.

  • Milestone Moment in Immigration History – President Obama to Follow Through With Executive Action
  • Just some time ago, in this very space, we had talked about the soon – to – come executive order by the US President. Well, finally it is out – today, 20th November, 2014, (USA time) to be precise, the President finally put forth his 3 – point pronged agenda to the people of his country.

    As we had hoped he would, the President laid out a strong case for finally coming out with executive actions that could keep around 5 million immigrants from getting deported from the country. The gist of his 3-point message was:

    1. More resources for the border shall be accorded by the government. These resources will help to strengthen border patrolling while ensuring the reduction in illegal entrants encroaching upon the borders.
    2. There will be relief from deportation for parents who stay illegally in the US for more than 5 years but whose children are citizens or lawful permanent residents.
    3. There is hope for those immigrants who are highly skilled too, and for those who are already contributing positively to the economy.

    President Obama also emphasized that the upcoming executive action was not a path to citizenship or legalization, but those who qualify would be granted relief from deportation for three years and would be eligible for work permits.

    Deportation for young immigrants will also be broadened, according to the President. Instead of extending eligibility for young immigrants who came to the US before the year 2007 it will now be extended up to 2010, and applicants will no longer have to be under 31 years of age.

    All in all, the impending executive action is all set to be a life-changing event for many immigrants presently residing in the United States of America!

    easyIME likes to share information of US immigration, USCIS and Immigration News and it is first of its kind to cater for Immigration community to US. easyIME has stretched its hands in field Green card Medical Exam by making easy for the Immigrant.