JUST IN CASE ….
People keep asking: “if the PLAN becomes LAW, and if I am covered – what do I need?
With no law, just on the basis of experience and intuition, the documents that applicants would need, could be the following (as many as possible):
· The passport with which you came to the U.S. and Form I-94, if you had them. If your passport expired, try to renew it (but do not give away the passport you came with).
· If you entered without a passport and a visa, some other documents to show when your presence began in the U.S. Try to get a new passport.
· Any kind of ID you may have, even expired ones, from any country.
· Certificate of Birth, with English translation.
· Copies of Income Tax Returns you had filed, as many as possible, with W-2 and 1099 Forms. If you never filed Tax Returns, start now. Even file “late” returns for the past 2 – 3 years, if it is not too difficult.
· Any other proof of employment in the U.S., such as paystubs, banks statements, pictures, etc.
· Prepare lists: all your past employments, past addresses in the U.S. Lists should show from what date to what date.
· Personal, family documents, such as: certificates of marriage, divorce, death, birth of children, etc. (with English translation).
· Activities in the U.S. such as: school records, medical records, church and social participation, etc.
· Government contacts, especially any immigration papers, arrest records, etc.
· Arrange everything in DATE order, for ease of processing.
Had enough? Now PRAY for the new law, any law, to pass.
VACCINATION? YES!
As of October 1, 2021, all applicants for Green Cards in the U.S., and all applicants for Immigrant visas at American Consulates outside the U.S., MUST provide proof of having completed the set of available Covid-19 vaccinations.
This proof must be submitted to the authorized physicians conducting the medical exams which are required before the interview.
Some EXEMPTIONS are available if a vaccine is not “medically appropriate”. This is an exemption on MEDICAL grounds, and the physician would make the decision.
However, if the applicant objects to vaccines on RELIGIOUS or MORAL CONVICTIONS, the applicant must apply for an individual WAIVER by filing Form I-601. The Immigration Service would make this decision.
The FILING FEE for Form I-601 is $930, and the processing time is unpredictable – many months. Until then, the applicant must sit and wait for the Green Card or for the Immigrant Visa.
