Unreasonable DNA test request?

[j.h 0]

Hi, my mom petitioned for her brother and his family to come to the United States 16 years ago. She has turned in all the required documents and the only step left is what I think is an unnecessary DNA test request, required "to prove your sibling relationship with a common mother." My mom and my uncle took a DNA test at an accredited facility that determined that they were full brothers and sisters in 2009.

Couple weeks ago, my uncle was told to go pick up his visas but upon talking to them, the Embassy in Cambodia requests two additional DNA tests: one between my mother and my grandma and another between my uncle and my grandma. It is a waste of time and money, in my opinion, to prove something that was already proven 3 years ago.

>>>In their email, they wrote: In accordance to our policy, DNA test is requested between your biological mother (if she is still alive) and you, and between your mother and [uncle's name] to prove your sibling relationship with a common mother. Sorry for any inconvenience that may frustrated you but until this request is concluded we cannot proceed with the case.

First of all, I thought DNA tests were voluntary and second, where would I be able to find a copy of this policy?

Do you think this a reasonable request that my mom should go forward with or should we continue to fight it?

Before they were only asking for health documentation, police reports, income documents, etc. This issue of the DNA test never came about until a few weeks ago after a lot of money and effort was put into obtaining the other documents + health checkups. What else would they continue to request if we do give in to these DNA tests? I've been helping my mom with her immigration paperwork ever since I was 16 or 17 and the process is ridiculous and frustrating.

Well, thank you in advance and any helpful feedback is appreciated!

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

If they want the visa, do the test.

They don't always request the DNA test, but they are within their rights to do so.

[Boggy1974 124]

Hi, my mom petitioned for her brother and his family to come to the United States 16 years ago. She has turned in all the required documents and the only step left is what I think is an unnecessary DNA test request, required "to prove your sibling relationship with a common mother." My mom and my uncle took a DNA test at an accredited facility that determined that they were full brothers and sisters in 2009.

Couple weeks ago, my uncle was told to go pick up his visas but upon talking to them, the Embassy in Cambodia requests two additional DNA tests: one between my mother and my grandma and another between my uncle and my grandma. It is a waste of time and money, in my opinion, to prove something that was already proven 3 years ago.

>>>In their email, they wrote: In accordance to our policy, DNA test is requested between your biological mother (if she is still alive) and you, and between your mother and [uncle's name] to prove your sibling relationship with a common mother. Sorry for any inconvenience that may frustrated you but until this request is concluded we cannot proceed with the case.

First of all, I thought DNA tests were voluntary and second, where would I be able to find a copy of this policy?

Do you think this a reasonable request that my mom should go forward with or should we continue to fight it?

Before they were only asking for health documentation, police reports, income documents, etc. This issue of the DNA test never came about until a few weeks ago after a lot of money and effort was put into obtaining the other documents + health checkups. What else would they continue to request if we do give in to these DNA tests? I've been helping my mom with her immigration paperwork ever since I was 16 or 17 and the process is ridiculous and frustrating.

Well, thank you in advance and any helpful feedback is appreciated!

DNA test is voluntary. However, the consulate/embassy has the authority to request DNA evidence. This is the link to the general policy on DNA tests as found on the State Dept's website:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1337.html

You can ask the embassy for a copy or link to the policy on their DNA request. But note that DNA evidence provide the most convincing evidence of family relationships; and they (consulate) especially ask for this if they have cause for suspicion.

Go ahead and comply with the request otherwise you will unnecessarily delay your case. It's a lot of money and time involved, but at this point that's your only resort in my view. Good luck!

ETA: You're correct sort of...that DNA tests are voluntary. But the consulate/embassy have the authority to request it.

Edited February 21, 2013 by Boggy1974

[USA-ALG 63]

They're asking for DNA's because perhaps Cambodia is now on their HIGH FRAUD list and want to ensure that theres no abuse happening within that unit.

E

[Christian S 0]

I just went through a DNA test process, it delays the visa process and its pretty expensive depending on where you go, the us embassy only accepts AABB accredited labs. Funny thing is my son was just born last year so they ask me to do a DNA test because I wasn't married to my fiancee and i wasnt on the birth certificate but they also ask my fiancee the mother of my child whom is on the birth certificate to also do a DNA test but hey just do it its all worth it once you do that and your positive they can't ask any more questions.

[j.h 0]

Thanks everybody. I guess I'm just mostly bothered by the fact that a DNA test was already submitted 3 years ago indicated that they are full siblings (i.e. sharing the same mother and father) so I'm not sure how that previous DNA test isn't enough evidence to prove a "common mother." It just seems like they totally disregarded this previous DNA test and are finding excuses to delay the application for whatever reason. Not sure why they need proof of a common mother either given the fact that this was a petition between brother and sister and not parent and child.

Edited February 21, 2013 by j.h

[aaron2020 11,651]

The request is reasonable because the foreign citizen wants something from the US government.

Isn't it easier to comply than fight it and raise red flags?

The US could refuse the immigrant visa based in the failure to supply sufficient evidence.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Was the previous DNA test requested by the embassy? If so, yes, it is a bit odd- it almost seems as if they doubt your mom is your bio mom, maybe they think in fact her sister might be or something.

[himher 634]

Just look at it like fingerprints.

They fingerprint the same immigrant over and over and over as if their fingerprints change.

Just do the test. They have the right to request it unfortunately.

Thanks everybody. I guess I'm just mostly bothered by the fact that a DNA test was already submitted 3 years ago indicated that they are full siblings (i.e. sharing the same mother and father) so I'm not sure how that previous DNA test isn't enough evidence to prove a "common mother." It just seems like they totally disregarded this previous DNA test and are finding excuses to delay the application for whatever reason. Not sure why they need proof of a common mother either given the fact that this was a petition between brother and sister and not parent and child.

[j.h 0]

Was the previous DNA test requested by the embassy? If so, yes, it is a bit odd- it almost seems as if they doubt your mom is your bio mom, maybe they think in fact her sister might be or something.

Yes, the previous DNA test was requested by the Embassy. Maybe the employees have a poor understanding of how DNA tests work which is why they want not just 1 but 2 more tests. The only reason that somewhat makes sense to me that I can think of is that they want to be certain that my mom and her brother are indeed full siblings and not half siblings... but even so, I thought half siblings fall under the same category as full siblings for immigration. And if my grandmother passes away, they wouldn't be able to proceed with the case even if the case is between my mother and her brother? Additionally, why is this only being requested now after everything else has been paid and accounted for? Seems ridiculous to me. :|

Anyway, I've been encouraging my mom to take the test anyway but at the moment, I think she wants to call it quits because she's frustrated and knows that having my uncle, his wife, and his son immigrate here wouldn't be easy anyway.

[Darnell 8,479]

Surely the petitioner can reference the DNA test results from 3 years ago, in an email to a Vice-Consul ?

Yes? No ?

[j.h 0]

Surely the petitioner can reference the DNA test results from 3 years ago, in an email to a Vice-Consul ?

Yes? No ?

Yes, I a referenced the DNA results in the first email and they didn't even address the DNA test in their reply 2 days later. All they wrote was that in the event of insufficient evidence, a DNA test can be requested... stating that photos do not count as evidence. So then I replied back, repeating the fact that DNA test results were sent to them in 2009 and so far, no reply. :/