On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it has canceled the requirement for migrants to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination in order to obtain a green card.
This rule, originally implemented by the Biden administration in 2021, had made the COVID-19 vaccine a part of the standard medical screening that new immigrants undergo. The vaccine requirement was added alongside other vaccines such as those for polio, measles, and hepatitis B.
Immediate Effect and Policy Update
The change in policy is effective immediately. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency will no longer request additional evidence or issue denials based on applicants’ COVID-19 vaccination status.
“USCIS will not issue any Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny related to proving a COVID-19 vaccination,” the agency stated. “USCIS will not deny any adjustment of status application based on the applicant’s failure to present documentation that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.”
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