Using Dr. Arnold for medical - legal or not?

[jbmail 0]

I would be more than happy to update any of the guides asap if you can point me in the right direction. Just refer me to the page and what is wrong, and if you know, what the right reply should be. This forum here is specifically for these types of requests. Often people may comment on out of date into in other locations however I probably wont see it unless it is here. I am not offended if you find a million little nits -- if anything I will be excited to get them all fixed!

We used Dr Arnolds services last month after having difficulties finding a local CS in Northern maine, and the fees also being crazy for this service,. so we went and found our shots at different clinics, found the required flu shot when it finally became available here, and then mailed everything to Texas as planned.

HOWEVER...Today We got our AOS Vaccinations papers REJECTED here in Portland , Maine. Our USCIS officer called and said that Dr Arnold is performing an illegal service , in that USCIS regulations specify that the Civil surgeon MUST see you in person, before signing off on your vaccination papers, and that USCIS in Washington has him under investigation . This is all coming from the Portland , Maine bureau on Nov 17th, 2009. We were given the option to find another civil surgeon and do it the right way, or forget AOS. I explained that the ONLY reason I used him was that I could NOT get an appt in the 30 day window they gave us, plus no one had flu shots available in this area, AND that the ONLY 2 civil surgeons available to us wanted over $400 for the office visit and/ or wanted to do the whole exam again. We traveled 4 hours for the interview in Portland and did not want to travel back 4 more hours for Vaccination exam, so we tried 2 CS locally, so now we must travel to find a CS in Northern Maine, who will take our recent vaccinations papers and just sign our I-693, without costing us a fortune . Here we go again, but I suppose it could be worse.

Everyone was nice at Dr Arnolds and they got papers back to us in 4 days, so we could meet our application deadline, but if it seems too good to be true, well!!! Now we must start over, so we have lost a month. I suppose many apps have slipped thru the cracks at different bureaus, but they now have him on the radar, so be warned and don't waste your time. We lost over a month and the wife wants to WORK!!! Best of luck..J

[rsn 135]

I would be more than happy to update any of the guides asap if you can point me in the right direction. Just refer me to the page and what is wrong, and if you know, what the right reply should be. This forum here is specifically for these types of requests. Often people may comment on out of date into in other locations however I probably wont see it unless it is here. I am not offended if you find a million little nits -- if anything I will be excited to get them all fixed!

We used Dr Arnolds services last month after having difficulties finding a local CS in Northern maine, and the fees also being crazy for this service,. so we went and found our shots at different clinics, found the required flu shot when it finally became available here, and then mailed everything to Texas as planned.

HOWEVER...Today We got our AOS Vaccinations papers REJECTED here in Portland , Maine. Our USCIS officer called and said that Dr Arnold is performing an illegal service , in that USCIS regulations specify that the Civil surgeon MUST see you in person, before signing off on your vaccination papers, and that USCIS in Washington has him under investigation . This is all coming from the Portland , Maine bureau on Nov 17th, 2009. We were given the option to find another civil surgeon and do it the right way, or forget AOS. I explained that the ONLY reason I used him was that I could NOT get an appt in the 30 day window they gave us, plus no one had flu shots available in this area, AND that the ONLY 2 civil surgeons available to us wanted over $400 for the office visit and/ or wanted to do the whole exam again. We traveled 4 hours for the interview in Portland and did not want to travel back 4 more hours for Vaccination exam, so we tried 2 CS locally, so now we must travel to find a CS in Northern Maine, who will take our recent vaccinations papers and just sign our I-693, without costing us a fortune . Here we go again, but I suppose it could be worse.

Everyone was nice at Dr Arnolds and they got papers back to us in 4 days, so we could meet our application deadline, but if it seems too good to be true, well!!! Now we must start over, so we have lost a month. I suppose many apps have slipped thru the cracks at different bureaus, but they now have him on the radar, so be warned and don't waste your time. We lost over a month and the wife wants to WORK!!! Best of luck..J

Something doesn't sound right here. Please ask this officer specifically where it states, in writing, that the CS must see you in person even if no medical exam is required.

Edited November 17, 2009 by rsn

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

As a note, VisaJourney has not officially endorsed or listed any specific doctor on any webpage. I know many people have however and it would be good to get to the bottom of this.

[rsn 135]

As a note, VisaJourney has not officially endorsed or listed any specific doctor on any webpage. I know many people have however and it would be good to get to the bottom of this.

Actually Dr. Arnold is mentioned on the Peru K1 Wiki. I agree this is something that needs a definitive answer, and one way would be to get an answer from this USCIS officer regarding proof of this requirement.

[jbmail 0]

As a note, VisaJourney has not officially endorsed or listed any specific doctor on any webpage. I know many people have however and it would be good to get to the bottom of this.

Actually Dr. Arnold is mentioned on the Peru K1 Wiki. I agree this is something that needs a definitive answer, and one way would be to get an answer from this USCIS officer regarding proof of this requirement.

I want to add to my post that I questioned all of this with him entirely and he stated that WE did nothing wrong, but now we must see ANOTHER civil surgeon IN PERSON, as thats the requirement. And that everyone is being scammed into thinking they are compliant with this doctor? When i questioned him about this, I read him the 2 paragraphs from the USCIS site and he told me that its interpreted wrong and the surgeon MUST see you in person to verify your identity?

I called my attorney on this and asked him to interpret this for me/us, but that could take some time? I just read another post somewhere here where another poster said HE was rejected at this same USCIS office with Dr Arnold also, so maybe its a regional office seeing too many DR ARNOLDS from Texas on their apps and decided to take issue with it? I'm just trying to figure all this out myself.

As a side note, I just RE-CALLED two of the CS who I called earlier, so that I can go in and get this done if my attorney tells me thats the ONLY way. One didn't return my calls, the other was VERY nice, but a small town doctor, who stated that he doesn't think he can sign this for me as the Medical info isn't filled out, TB, Chest Xray, etc. I had to give THEM an education and the ONLY way he will sign off and charge me $79.00 (decent) , is if I bring in writing, the actual govt rules stating what is expected of him??? I hate to be rude, but isn't a CIVIL SURGEON suppose to know these things, even if they only see 1-2 people a year? Just some added thoughts from my busy mind. I think this will stir up alot of S**T in the next few days, but we need to keep people from going thru what is happening to us. Its been a long hard road and it doesn't NEED to be this difficult to be in love and married. i just want to be FREE of USCIS forever..J

[rsn 135]

As a note, VisaJourney has not officially endorsed or listed any specific doctor on any webpage. I know many people have however and it would be good to get to the bottom of this.

Actually Dr. Arnold is mentioned on the Peru K1 Wiki. I agree this is something that needs a definitive answer, and one way would be to get an answer from this USCIS officer regarding proof of this requirement.

I want to add to my post that I questioned all of this with him entirely and he stated that WE did nothing wrong, but now we must see ANOTHER civil surgeon IN PERSON, as thats the requirement. And that everyone is being scammed into thinking they are compliant with this doctor? When i questioned him about this, I read him the 2 paragraphs from the USCIS site and he told me that its interpreted wrong and the surgeon MUST see you in person to verify your identity?

You should tell him that this is not an acceptable response and you want to see a list of specific requirements for CSes that list face-to-face meetings. There should be no reason to have to "interpret" a requirement - either something is required or it is not. It's aggravating that the system is so fragmented that these types of procedures are left up to interpretation. I would highly suggest telling him that you require specifics.

[jbmail 0]

As a note, VisaJourney has not officially endorsed or listed any specific doctor on any webpage. I know many people have however and it would be good to get to the bottom of this.

Actually Dr. Arnold is mentioned on the Peru K1 Wiki. I agree this is something that needs a definitive answer, and one way would be to get an answer from this USCIS officer regarding proof of this requirement.

I want to add to my post that I questioned all of this with him entirely and he stated that WE did nothing wrong, but now we must see ANOTHER civil surgeon IN PERSON, as thats the requirement. And that everyone is being scammed into thinking they are compliant with this doctor? When i questioned him about this, I read him the 2 paragraphs from the USCIS site and he told me that its interpreted wrong and the surgeon MUST see you in person to verify your identity?

You should tell him that this is not an acceptable response and you want to see a list of specific requirements for CSes that list face-to-face meetings. There should be no reason to have to "interpret" a requirement - either something is required or it is not. It's aggravating that the system is so fragmented that these types of procedures are left up to interpretation. I would highly suggest telling him that you require specifics.

I have just faxed a transcript of my conversations and my feelings to Dr Arnolds office and asked them to contact USCIS in the AM, get to the bottom of this, and then contact me with results, so I can decide if I am accepted, rejected, or what the hell is going on

I don't think its right that the little guy has to sort out all the govt ####### just to be compliant and do everything right. We followed all the rules and regulations for the past 9 months. I even did K-1 Visa help for 2 other people and never got an RFE or even a hiccup until now, so why should we have to put up with this

I will post back as soon as I hear from either parties tomorrow...j

[rsn 135]

As a note, VisaJourney has not officially endorsed or listed any specific doctor on any webpage. I know many people have however and it would be good to get to the bottom of this.

Actually Dr. Arnold is mentioned on the Peru K1 Wiki. I agree this is something that needs a definitive answer, and one way would be to get an answer from this USCIS officer regarding proof of this requirement.

I want to add to my post that I questioned all of this with him entirely and he stated that WE did nothing wrong, but now we must see ANOTHER civil surgeon IN PERSON, as thats the requirement. And that everyone is being scammed into thinking they are compliant with this doctor? When i questioned him about this, I read him the 2 paragraphs from the USCIS site and he told me that its interpreted wrong and the surgeon MUST see you in person to verify your identity?

You should tell him that this is not an acceptable response and you want to see a list of specific requirements for CSes that list face-to-face meetings. There should be no reason to have to "interpret" a requirement - either something is required or it is not. It's aggravating that the system is so fragmented that these types of procedures are left up to interpretation. I would highly suggest telling him that you require specifics.

I have just faxed a transcript of my conversations and my feelings to Dr Arnolds office and asked them to contact USCIS in the AM, get to the bottom of this, and then contact me with results, so I can decide if I am accepted, rejected, or what the hell is going on

I don't think its right that the little guy has to sort out all the govt ####### just to be compliant and do everything right. We followed all the rules and regulations for the past 9 months. I even did K-1 Visa help for 2 other people and never got an RFE or even a hiccup until now, so why should we have to put up with this

I will post back as soon as I hear from either parties tomorrow...j

Please do. I would also suggest creating a new thread in one of the AOS forums with the history of this part of the conversation so it will reach a wider audience.

[Dakine 26]

USCIS should monitor the DCSs that rip a LOT of people off. There's no control on how much they charge or what the procedures the DCS is required to do like giving a full medical when only transferring the vaccinations from the DS 3025 to the I-693 is required.

Leave Dr. Arnold alone. He has provided a GOOD service to this hectic process.

Edited November 18, 2009 by Dakine

[jbmail 0]

As a note, VisaJourney has not officially endorsed or listed any specific doctor on any webpage. I know many people have however and it would be good to get to the bottom of this.

Actually Dr. Arnold is mentioned on the Peru K1 Wiki. I agree this is something that needs a definitive answer, and one way would be to get an answer from this USCIS officer regarding proof of this requirement.

I want to add to my post that I questioned all of this with him entirely and he stated that WE did nothing wrong, but now we must see ANOTHER civil surgeon IN PERSON, as thats the requirement. And that everyone is being scammed into thinking they are compliant with this doctor? When i questioned him about this, I read him the 2 paragraphs from the USCIS site and he told me that its interpreted wrong and the surgeon MUST see you in person to verify your identity?

You should tell him that this is not an acceptable response and you want to see a list of specific requirements for CSes that list face-to-face meetings. There should be no reason to have to "interpret" a requirement - either something is required or it is not. It's aggravating that the system is so fragmented that these types of procedures are left up to interpretation. I would highly suggest telling him that you require specifics.

I have just faxed a transcript of my conversations and my feelings to Dr Arnolds office and asked them to contact USCIS in the AM, get to the bottom of this, and then contact me with results, so I can decide if I am accepted, rejected, or what the hell is going on

I don't think its right that the little guy has to sort out all the govt ####### just to be compliant and do everything right. We followed all the rules and regulations for the past 9 months. I even did K-1 Visa help for 2 other people and never got an RFE or even a hiccup until now, so why should we have to put up with this

I will post back as soon as I hear from either parties tomorrow...j

Please do. I would also suggest creating a new thread in one of the AOS forums with the history of this part of the conversation so it will reach a wider audience.

I am adding to this journal regarding Dr Arnold and the Portland maine agency. I left message with them to contact me and to call USCIS regarding this case. I have not heard from anyone yet, but I think many doctors are closed on Wed and I don't want to call again.

I will report that an attorney DID contact me after reading these post this morning( name witheld as agreed by me.) Come to find out, hes my old friends attorney from New England. He also represented a good friend of mine from Florida who just got K-1 approved last year.)He had this to say, Quote: Something is terribly wrong here and you need to have something in writing from this office, before we go any further. ( I since have called USCIS and did as I was told, to request for a written refusal of my papers, get a copy of RFE and the reasons), and forward to him.( he went on to say that he feels this is a personal vendetta by this officer and maybe this office and to send a written request to the Office of the Inspector general in regards to this as they are the ONLY agency that can withraw or assign Civil Surgeon Authority. He also states that he has Dr Arnold on his web site and the USCIS still has him listed on thier website, so if there were any problems, why is his authority still in effect, and furthermore, no where in the case law and rules of AOS regulations, does it says that a CS has to be face to face with you, if you are exempt from the the medical exam END QUOTE. I think I also read this exact same verbage in answer to my posting last night

Any other lawyers care to chime in on this? You can PM me on this and i will not use your name. You can post your own thoughts on this after I get an answer from someone higher up, however, I can always use a little FREE attorney help to prove a point. Hint, hint???

By the way, there was another posting of a VJ member who was refused for same reasons, from this same office recently, I believe? but I cannot find his posting. This attorney wanted to speak to him. Can anyone help me find this person?

As far as Office of the Inspector General, I left an email and am sending a certified mailing to address my issue on both matters, this doctors innocence and this agencys handling of my wifes paperwork. I have been informed that I have a right to see this refusal in writing and should be given ample time to rectify this. Hopefully, this will be resolved one way or another

Its important to note that this attorney HAS Dr Arnold listed on his website, has personally sent several dozen applicants to him and has never had an issue, PLUS, the USCIS lists him on their own website, and if there were any issues, why would they leave his link there?? I don't think that attornies, USCIS and this Doctor can all be WRONG and that the agency is right, so i will wait until someone helps us or I get to the ottom of this saga myself. We did what we were suppose to do, everything BY THE BOOK for 9 months, and now we are wrong? Last night I started calling CS within 1-2 hours of here in northern Maine. Both did NOT know the rules and procedures, and said they would not sign off unless we had complete physical done, cost of $320. The final call I made was to a NICE doctor and assistant in backwoods Maine, CS certified, but only did one in years. They asked me to have this agency call them before they would comply. Hardly a chance of that happening!!! I managed to have them tell me that if I printed off the USCIS rulesheet, they would get me in and out in 5 minutes and sign off for $89.00, but why should I have to pay again. I already did what was requested of me.

So, I wait here again, hoping for an answer, or do as someone mentioned, kiss the USCIS butt and move on. I don't think I am alone in my thinking about NOT wanting to do this. Cheers...J

[Dakine 26]

Well not using DR Arnold for AOS isn't nationwide yet as a couple on WOF had their AOS interview yesterday using him without any probems. They were back East somewhere.

[jbmail 0]

Well not using DR Arnold for AOS isn't nationwide yet as a couple on WOF had their AOS interview yesterday using him without any probems. They were back East somewhere.

Moderator, could you help me in moving this whole topic Q& A's to the AOS forun as was suggested by RSN On Tuesday

I will then post to that from now on, if thats better for everyone

J

[jbmail 0]

I have moved the previous AOS, Dr Arnold problem, discussion to this forum as requested, but I am not sure how to transfer postings and background info on what we have been discussing, especially Page 2-3 of these last messages from last two days

can anyone help me?...J

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I have moved the previous AOS, Dr Arnold problem, discussion to this forum as requested, but I am not sure how to transfer postings and background info on what we have been discussing, especially Page 2-3 of these last messages from last two days

can anyone help me?...J

Hopefully a moderator can help you out, it was important info which is now in the "Site topics" forum. About the only other thing you could do is cut and paste.

[jbmail 0]

I have moved the previous AOS, Dr Arnold problem, discussion to this forum as requested, but I am not sure how to transfer postings and background info on what we have been discussing, especially Page 2-3 of these last messages from last two days

can anyone help me?...J

Hopefully a moderator can help you out, it was important info which is now in the "Site topics" forum. About the only other thing you could do is cut and paste.

Thanks Gary, I will wait until tomorrow and see if a moderator moves it all with the magic swipe, otherwise I'll try to cut and paste, so people can follow trail of S**T i'm been on

later...J