People who want to get green cards in the U.S. have many hurdles they must overcome. The process for becoming a lawful permanent resident can be lengthy and includes multiple requirements. Recently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added one step to the process for securing a green card by requiring green card applicants to get COVID-19 vaccinations. An experienced New York immigration lawyer at Pozo Goldstein can explain the requirements of the COVID vaccine and immigration to people who want to become lawful permanent residents in the U.S.
The CDC’s Order
The CDC issued an order requiring applicants for green cards both within the U.S. and outside of it to get COVID-19 vaccinations before they can pass their immigration medical exams. Applicants are already required to get a number of other vaccinations for the medical exams before they can obtain green cards.
COVID-19 is a public health emergency with the pandemic continuing to rage in countries around the world. Green card applicants undergo medical screening long before their applications are finally approved, meaning that a negative COVID-19 test at the time an individual undergoes the medical exam will not necessarily mean that he or she will still be negative when he or she receives a green card and becomes a lawful permanent resident. The CDC’s order is meant to protect both the green card applicants and the communities in the U.S. in which they intend to reside.
Required Proof
When people go to the civil surgeon for their immigration medical exams, they must bring proof that they have received the full series of COVID-19 vaccinations for the type of vaccines that they received. The following types of documents are considered to be acceptable proof:
- Official record of vaccinations
- Medical chart copies showing the dates the applicant received his or her COVID vaccinations with the manufacturer and lot number if available
- Documents that appear to be altered will not be accepted
Self-attestations of vaccination status will not be accepted.
Exceptions to the Requirement of the COVID Vaccine and Immigration
There are a few exceptions to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for green card applicants as follows:
- Green card applicants who are not old enough to receive the COVID-19 vaccine
- Green card applicants who have contraindications to the COVID-19 vaccine
- Green card applicants who are unable to receive the vaccine because of delays caused by shortages
While applicants can ask for a moral or religious waiver, those requests are not automatically granted. Instead, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will make the decision of whether or not to grant a waiver. Applicants who refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccine without having a valid reason will be deemed inadmissible.
Talk to an Experienced New York Immigration Lawyer
The New York immigration attorneys at Pozo Goldstein have decades of experience helping people with all types of immigration cases. Our law firm includes former immigration prosecutors and a former immigration law judge. If you are preparing to apply for lawful permanent residence and want to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccination and other requirements, call us today at (212) 201-9031.
