Catch 22 at AOS Interview . . .

[Dan]

Our AOS oddyssey (so far):

* Filed for AOS (from K-1) on approximately 15 Apr 2001.
* Told then that it would take as long as 2 years before the actual interview to result in Adjusted Status to "Conditional Permanent Resident."
* Filed for EAD and Advanced Parole at same date as AOS (15 Apr 2001).
* In about February, notified by letter to come to a different INS office to get fingerprinted. Asked there if this was any indication as to the remaining time to AOS interview, and was told "maybe 3 months."
* On 15 April decided to get the EAD renewed - went to the local INS office.
* Waited all day to discover, when we arrived at the window - that the guy said it looked like the AOS interview was scheduled and would be in only another few weeks, so why did we want the EAD??
* HUGE surprise to learn that they supposedly mailed us notification of the interview - never received it. Just pure Providence that we went to the INS office prior to the interview date - AND - that we met with a guy that took enough interest to tell us what he saw on his screen. In fact, he provided us a copy of the letter they never sent.
* Took absolutely EVERYTHING - plus some - that was specified in the letter (the letter we now had in our possession).
* Went to the interview to learn that it is NECESSARY for the applicant to obtain a Doctor's statement showing the applicant displayed evidence of having had Chicken Pox as a child - or - had received the Chicken Pox vaccination. No AOS is granted now without this statement from a Doctor.
* Now while that may seem a relatively small inconvenience - we had already made plans to travel to Ukraine in less than a week - and the INS officer was originally NOT planning to issue the I-551 stamp until after that date. In other words, this was a MAJOR problem - not a mere inconvenience!
* The officer provided us the necessary forms that need to be completed - and after much discussion, she agreed to expedite the final step to this Friday.
* Oddly enough - this particular officer never asked for a single photo, nor for any evidence of a common residence - items that were explicitly requested in the letter.
* The Catch 22 is that this INS officer tells us that every new immigrant MUST have this statement from a doctor regarding Chicken Pox - even though it does not appear on the letter they are sending out! Unless you happen to learn about it from other sources, you would never even have a hint of it until the interview itself.
* There is one other important item to note: Some have reported that this particular vaccine can be dangerous to administer to adults - in some cases I've read about it resulting in hospitalization. Obviously, I am hoping that Olya has no adverse reaction - and so far so good - but it is rather disconcerting.

Anyway - all looks like it will turn out OK in the final analysis, but it sure did turn out to be more of an ordeal than I anticipated.

Be forewarned!

- Dan

[SteveM]

... in response to Catch 22 at AOS Interview . . ., posted by Dan on Jun 12, 2002

Dan,

Sorry to hear about the AOS stress.  For those of you who still have fiancees in Russia, I once again encourage you to have her get all of the vaccinations done before coming to the US, even if they aren't necessary to get the fiance visa approved.

First off, for any K-2 kids, they will need them to get enrolled in school.  Keep in mind that many Russians do not get vaccinated for MMR, only measles, so that is one you will need to discuss with her ahead of time.

Same goes for dental care.  A very good private clinic there (outside of Moscow) will cost less than here, and at least you can figure out what you are facing in dental work.  Remember the water there is not fluoridated...

Lastly, make sure she brings copies of medical/vaccination records with her (school records for kids are helpful as well).  This will save you a lot of struggle when filling out forms and discussing things with their new health providers in America.

Just my 58 kopecks...

Steve M.

[Apk1]

... in response to Catch 22 at AOS Interview . . ., posted by Dan on Jun 12, 2002

Since my wife has not had her AOS interview "yet" she questioned her California FSU support group today about the vaccination requirement at AOS interview...all answered yes, but each woman told a different story.

One girl said she was told to get vaccinations 2 years ago at medical exam before embassy interview...one girl received letter from INS with AOS instructions, requiring vaccination and form to be signed by doctor...one girl did not recieve shot info, went to interview and came back the next day with vaccination and recieved stamp same day...one girl did not know about it..and was not asked to get the shot and recieved temp.green card stamp...

I agree with you Dan, you cannot live by some website giving you up to date information...I do not think INS even knows from one day to the next...it takes a network of people in the know with first hand information to give advice...thanks for the heads up!

apk

[amerikanka99]

... in response to Catch 22 at AOS Interview . . ., posted by Dan on Jun 12, 2002

I still suggest that you move to Detroit. I feel spoiled that we didn't have to deal with ANY of that for Dima. He got his green card stamp 3 days after our wedding. No mention of the chicken pox vaccination either. Our next step is removal of conditions and the 10 year green card in January. They really should implement the pilot program everywhere.

Glad things are going well for you and Olya!

[Dan]

... in response to Re: Catch 22 at AOS Interview . . ., posted by amerikanka99 on Jun 13, 2002

Agree the INS should adopt that practice across the country.

Not too sure about the move to Detroit however - though I definitely want to visit to finally meet up with you and Dima.

Best Wishes - and it's GREAT to hear from you!

- Dan