When filing for AOS...

[shusterman 0]

I've recently been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. And although it sounds scary, the type of Cancer I have is considered that of a "low malignant potential" tumor. It's actually quite rare (with only a 1-2% occurence rate) and non-aggressive. There are two other types of ovarian cancers that are actually the scary kind. They are the ones that kills. And fast. Anyway, I'm okay (it hasn't metastizised - again, because of the non-aggressive nature of the tumor) and not in any pain, which I suppose, is good. But, still, there is the trauma of actually being diagnosed. Ever heard of the phrase: "it never happens, until it happens to you?" That's exactly what I'm going through. But, to add to that, my husband and I are now worried that besides having to deal with the cancer, there is the possibility that his petition (or the I-485 for me) will not get approved because I'll be considered a "public charge." Has anyone heard of such a case or, maybe, something similar? Is having cancer a probable cause for denial of I-130 or I-485??? I understand that typical grounds for inadmissibility are communicable diseases and behavioral /mental disorders that can cause harm to the public. However, I understand that another ground for a denial is the intending immigrant's likelihood to become a "public charge."

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and I appreciate any input you could provide. We're just really scared and worried right now that I feel the need to vent out, even just here.

[kitkat1 5]

The public charge issue comes into play if you were to apply for "means-tested" benefits like Public Aid. As long as your husband can provide the affidavit of support and you are going to be covered by your husband's health insurance, you will have no problems. I can't imagine they even ask this type of health-related question at AOS but I haven't been through that part yet so I don't know. In any event, you have enough to worry about - take care of yourself and best of luck.

[Brazilitaliana 0]

I pray you'll recover soon =)

As long as you are insured, you should be fine, just as kitkat said.

God bless you!

Vanessa

[Kez/JWolf 6]

It wont be an issue..... they dont ask any medical questions at the interview... well not at mine or any that I have read about...

I have artheritis in both my knees and hips and had a total knee replacement done in may here in the US... I had no problems at interview although they could see I had mobility problems...

Good Luck and keep well...

Kezzie

[sjoefl01 1]

Maybe somebody will disagree here but I don't think that medical expenses constitute "means tested public benefits". That is mostly food stamps and such. Even if you didn't have insurance I don't think it is a problem.

Regardless, this is not an issue. Your medical was done before you came and the health questions are past. Even then there are many cancer victims that come. They are primarily interested in communicable diseases being brought into the US.

[meauxna 15]

Maybe somebody will disagree here but I don't think that medical expenses constitute "means tested public benefits". That is mostly food stamps and such. Even if you didn't have insurance I don't think it is a problem.

Regardless, this is not an issue. Your medical was done before you came and the health questions are past. Even then there are many cancer victims that come. They are primarily interested in communicable diseases being brought into the US.

joe,

Sorry, I'm the one.

New immigrants are not eligible for means-tested benefits, and other than emergency treatment, most medical public health $$ do fall into that category. We were warned off specifically due to my husband's medical history.

shusterman doesn't say if she already had her immigration medical. If so, probably in the clear as there would be no reason for the topic to come up in the AOS interview.

I agree with you on what they are normally looking for in the medical. This wouldn't be a public charge issue, except by warning. shusterman's USC might be warned to get insurance, as I was, and again, unless they raise the topic, I don't see how/where it would be reported.

shusterman, good luck, and feel well. Try to not worry.

[sjoefl01 1]

Shusterman,

Don't freak out here. If you look closely we are all in agreement that your cancer is not an issue. The debate is whether cancer treatment woud be a " means tested public benefit ". Evidently I spoke incorrectly but don't be confused. This has nothing to do with your AOS. We all agree that you are home free on that topic.

Meauxna,

This breaks my heart. I really didn't think that medical care fell in this category. That is a shame. It is completely wrong.

Maybe somebody will disagree here but I don't think that medical expenses constitute "means tested public benefits". That is mostly food stamps and such. Even if you didn't have insurance I don't think it is a problem.

Regardless, this is not an issue. Your medical was done before you came and the health questions are past. Even then there are many cancer victims that come. They are primarily interested in communicable diseases being brought into the US.

joe,

Sorry, I'm the one.

New immigrants are not eligible for means-tested benefits, and other than emergency treatment, most medical public health $$ do fall into that category. We were warned off specifically due to my husband's medical history.

shusterman doesn't say if she already had her immigration medical. If so, probably in the clear as there would be no reason for the topic to come up in the AOS interview.

I agree with you on what they are normally looking for in the medical. This wouldn't be a public charge issue, except by warning. shusterman's USC might be warned to get insurance, as I was, and again, unless they raise the topic, I don't see how/where it would be reported.

shusterman, good luck, and feel well. Try to not worry.

[meauxna 15]

This breaks my heart. I really didn't think that medical care fell in this category. That is a shame. It is completely wrong.

Joe,

Let's not mis-speak. Treatment itself is not a means-tested benefit. Medicaid or other types of government-issued benefits are what I'm speaking of. shusterman may be fully prepared to pay her own way.

Immigrants are prohibited from receiving means-tested benies for their first five years in the US. There is no definitive list of means-tested benefits, but I've found some good lists in the I-864 documentation that I've collected in the DCF Guide.

As you know, free medical care isn't always available to US citizens. I gamble on staying healthy every day.

[shusterman 0]

Maybe somebody will disagree here but I don't think that medical expenses constitute "means tested public benefits". That is mostly food stamps and such. Even if you didn't have insurance I don't think it is a problem.

Regardless, this is not an issue. Your medical was done before you came and the health questions are past. Even then there are many cancer victims that come. They are primarily interested in communicable diseases being brought into the US.

joe,

Sorry, I'm the one.

New immigrants are not eligible for means-tested benefits, and other than emergency treatment, most medical public health $$ do fall into that category. We were warned off specifically due to my husband's medical history.

shusterman doesn't say if she already had her immigration medical. If so, probably in the clear as there would be no reason for the topic to come up in the AOS interview.

I agree with you on what they are normally looking for in the medical. This wouldn't be a public charge issue, except by warning. shusterman's USC might be warned to get insurance, as I was, and again, unless they raise the topic, I don't see how/where it would be reported.

shusterman, good luck, and feel well. Try to not worry.

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts...

No, I haven't had my medical exam yet. I'm scheduled to have it this Friday and I guess that's part of our worry, really. It's just...very frustrating, not really knowing for sure. Logically, we don' think it should be a problem either. It's just, again, the not knowing for sure and the knowledge that it depends on how the USCIS sees our situation.

I pray you'll recover soon =)

As long as you are insured, you should be fine, just as kitkat said.

God bless you!

Vanessa

Thank you so much for your prayers. It's truly nice to hear that from someone I don't know. It just...renews my belief in the goodness of strangers.

Shusterman,

Don't freak out here. If you look closely we are all in agreement that your cancer is not an issue. The debate is whether cancer treatment woud be a " means tested public benefit ". Evidently I spoke incorrectly but don't be confused. This has nothing to do with your AOS. We all agree that you are home free on that topic.

I'm trying very hard not to freak out. Maybe it's just the nerves. Nonetheless, thank you. It does feel better to see most opinions on the same side.

[meauxna 15]

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts...

No, I haven't had my medical exam yet. I'm scheduled to have it this Friday and I guess that's part of our worry, really. It's just...very frustrating, not really knowing for sure. Logically, we don' think it should be a problem either. It's just, again, the not knowing for sure and the knowledge that it depends on how the USCIS sees our situation.

The details are getting fuzzy (it's the mad cow) and I didn't attend the medical myself (DAH is the ex-immigrant) so I can't give you a definite answer, but someone here can. Check into what happens at a typical med exam *here in the US* preferably by someone who used the same panel doc as you are.

There is a questionaire about your health history; it may be that there is NO reason your topic will come up.

I totally hear you on the 'don't know what's coming' being the stressful part. Use this medium to read as much as you can so you know what to expect (the medical itself is not a big deal) and remember every day that your cancer is not a bar against immigration. You'll have some financial challenges, I imagine, but those are outside your immigration. It's hard here sometimes to give a complete and accurate answer that doesn't drift so far away from the original topic--there's an exception to almost every case--but my instinct is to tell you to focus on healing and trust that your AOS will work out just perfectly.

Check back with us, won't you? Your experience will be helpful to someone else in the future.