Form I-601 For religious objection to vaccines

[katieo0711 3]

Have any of you experienced delay/problems/blocking from immigrations when filing the i601 for religious objection to vaccine administration? My husband is a naturalist and vegan. He does not believe in introducing artificial substances or medications into his body. Is it possible our i601 can be approved to waive the vaccine requirement when filing simultaneously with the i485/i130 after we married while he was here for a visit? Our marriage was something I kind of sprung on him as a surprise-getting the license, then after he thought we would wait, surprised him by driving to the jp who I had made an appointment with. I just didn't want to be separated from him anymore, after our back-and-forth visits and missing each other so much all the time. Now we have this mountain of paperwork and we're running out of time on his i94w to get it filed. But if there's a good chance the USCIS will keep the money, deny the app, and label him an overstay if he stays while waiting for the pending application, we prefer to do this another way since he has to go back home and finish a job anyway (we are going to file an application for advance parole at the same time). Thanks.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

This waiver is difficult, time consuming and costly to file and unlikely to be successful. We've had several people on here asking about a vaccination waiver, and none have been successful as far as I know.

[katieo0711 3]

This waiver is difficult, time consuming and costly to file and unlikely to be successful. We've had several people on here asking about a vaccination waiver, and none have been successful as far as I know.

According to USCIS we don't have to pay the 545 admin fee for this if we file concurrently with I485. My spouse refuses adamantly to submit to the admistration of vaccines. Since freedom of religion is a basic right guaranteed by the US constitution, I see no legal grounds for USCIS to deny the application for inadmissibility due to religious objection. If one is denied the basic right to practice their religion, it is inhumane, unconstitutional, and admissible in court as religious discrimination. By the way. Where did you obtain the information that this is unlikely to be successful? Have you attempted to file this document and been denied? Do you quote specific statistics involving real cases, or is this just an opinion?

Edited August 10, 2010 by katieo0711

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

You have the right to religious freedom but immigration is not a right , it is a privilege and on this basis they are pretty hard nosed about the shots. If you don't want the shots then don't expect the privilege of immigrating. They are under the belief that the welfare of the US population out weighs your beliefs and so they will deny you the privilege of immigration. We have yet to hear anyone getting the waiver for vaccines. If he feels that strong about them , you will have to immigrate the other direction probably.

[sachinky 465]

You have the right to religious freedom but immigration is not a right , it is a privilege and on this basis they are pretty hard nosed about the shots. If you don't want the shots then don't expect the privilege of immigrating. They are under the belief that the welfare of the US population out weighs your beliefs and so they will deny you the privilege of immigration. We have yet to hear anyone getting the waiver for vaccines. If he feels that strong about them , you will have to immigrate the other direction probably.

+1

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Where did you obtain the information that this is unlikely to be successful? Have you attempted to file this document and been denied? Do you quote specific statistics involving real cases, or is this just an opinion?

No, I have not filed; as I mentioned in my post, my saying it is extremely unlikely you will get the waiver is based on reading posts on here about it. We get someone looking for the waiver every couple of months or so.

Ok, constructive suggestions:

- Check what vaccines he would need to get- he may not need any extra if he had the usual childhood vaccines for French kids, making the whole discussion moot.

- If you do file, gather lots of documentation. You say your husband is a naturalist; is there a USA and/ or France based organisation representing them, with published books and websites saying vaccines are not allowed in the religion, and why? Can you get any documentation from the "head person" saying vaccines are not allowed?

[katieo0711 3]

It would seem some people posting on here are pro-vaccine and anti-religious freedom. To that, I say "Whatever toots your horn, and it's a good thing you don't make policy for USCIS". We are going to try. He did receive the usual childhood vaccines in France, but as an adult a 10 year regular DTaP booster is required for entry into the US, as is the HEP B. When he was 19 he decided against vaccines, to the effect that his enlistment in the French Army was curtailed by one year because he continued to refuse the (sometimes experimental) vaccines required to remain enlisted. It is HIS body, and he does have a right to say what goes into it.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

For what it's worth, I had the standard Swiss vaccines, and did not need anything extra when I went for my visa medical- no Hep B or boosters. Check with the embassy/ doctor before filing a waiver.

[Anh map 2,098]

The medical exam and vaccines are a public health issue. And there is the the scale that is used: what matters of public health are outweighed by a person's religious/moral beliefs?

Do some searching through VJ and you can find a number of discussions of the vaccination question.

Also see Chapter 41.3 in the Field Adjudicator's Manual for more information >>>> http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.f6da51a2342135be7e9d7a10e0dc91a0/?vgnextoid=fa7e539dc4bed010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fa7e539dc4bed010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&CH=afm

[Justine+David 218]

You can also look into immigrating to France instead, as another option to consider

I wish you guys well in whatever you decide.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

It is HIS body, and he does have a right to say what goes into it.

I agree 100%. However, you will be facing the fact that he does not have a right to immigrate.

Good luck on your quest

[soscolin 2]

I have hired a vaccination exemption attorney and have prepared for my religious exemption. I was just about to start a new post in here when I noticed this thread. There does not seem to be much information on the entire Internet about peoples' experiences with the waiver. One British man in here said it took him 6 months after interview to get approved as his waiver was sent to CDC Center for Disease Control in Washington, DC. He said he didn't mind the delay as he wasn't in a hurry to get into the US as he was working.

My lawyer is Alan Phillips http://www.vaccinerights.com/ and I purchased his e-book and then hired him to assist me with the I-601 form and affidavit and friends' affidavits and so on. I believe at the interview process I will be denied a visa as the form is sent away for approval. I was hoping to be approved same day but if not I hope the delay is not too long. I also read one in a hundred visa applicants apply for religious exemption, and two in a hundred for philosophical reasons. Philosophical can be more difficult from what I understand to get approved. And the religious exemption has to be sincere. However, the definition of religious is broad as you will see at sites help with the process. There is also an exemption for those allergic to vaccines. Also there are many good sites regarding 'educate before you vaccinate.'

http://tinyurl.com/2bhhccf

Regards, Colin

Have any of you experienced delay/problems/blocking from immigrations when filing the i601 for religious objection to vaccine administration? My husband is a naturalist and vegan. He does not believe in introducing artificial substances or medications into his body. Is it possible our i601 can be approved to waive the vaccine requirement when filing simultaneously with the i485/i130 after we married while he was here for a visit? Our marriage was something I kind of sprung on him as a surprise-getting the license, then after he thought we would wait, surprised him by driving to the jp who I had made an appointment with. I just didn't want to be separated from him anymore, after our back-and-forth visits and missing each other so much all the time. Now we have this mountain of paperwork and we're running out of time on his i94w to get it filed. But if there's a good chance the USCIS will keep the money, deny the app, and label him an overstay if he stays while waiting for the pending application, we prefer to do this another way since he has to go back home and finish a job anyway (we are going to file an application for advance parole at the same time). Thanks.

[Dr. Greg Barnes 0]

I have hired a vaccination exemption attorney and have prepared for my religious exemption. I was just about to start a new post in here when I noticed this thread. There does not seem to be much information on the entire Internet about peoples' experiences with the waiver. One British man in here said it took him 6 months after interview to get approved as his waiver was sent to CDC Center for Disease Control in Washington, DC. He said he didn't mind the delay as he wasn't in a hurry to get into the US as he was working.

My lawyer is Alan Phillips http://www.vaccinerights.com/ and I purchased his e-book and then hired him to assist me with the I-601 form and affidavit and friends' affidavits and so on. I believe at the interview process I will be denied a visa as the form is sent away for approval. I was hoping to be approved same day but if not I hope the delay is not too long. I also read one in a hundred visa applicants apply for religious exemption, and two in a hundred for philosophical reasons. Philosophical can be more difficult from what I understand to get approved. And the religious exemption has to be sincere. However, the definition of religious is broad as you will see at sites help with the process. There is also an exemption for those allergic to vaccines. Also there are many good sites regarding 'educate before you vaccinate.'

http://tinyurl.com/2bhhccf

Regards, Colin

What was the end result? Did you get approved? Any tips?

[Ldn2oc 7]

I realize this is an old thread and the OP is probably not following. I felt compelled to join the forum just to respond to this one thread so that people researching this topic in future have some facts rather than fiction to go on.

I filed i601's for my family of 4 on moral/religious grounds (immunization waivers) for our AOS, and it was granted no questions asked. Like literally, it was the one area that during interview was flicked through, but no verbal reference was made.

I also used Alan Philips who laid out what we needed to present and how to do it.

It is unhelpful that people like me don't follow up on these threads (in this case this was not my thread), but don't take that to mean the petition was denied and the OP is sulking. Unless you hear for sure one way or the other, do not draw a particular conclusion.

My understanding is that quite a lot of people file the immunization waivers and are successful. Most choose not to broadcast it because they don't need the bashing from the pro vaccine crew.

Had this topic been about an i601 based on criminal convictions, the responses would most likely have stuck to the facts rather than resorting to accuse the OP of making poor life choices because they don't agree with them.

So if you're looking for the likelihood of success for filing an immunization waiver, I believe (based on personal experience) that as long as your case is accurately presented and meets the requirements, you will be approved.

Good luck.

[Ryan_and_Priscy 16]

I realize this is an old thread and the OP is probably not following. I felt compelled to join the forum just to respond to this one thread so that people researching this topic in future have some facts rather than fiction to go on.

I filed i601's for my family of 4 on moral/religious grounds (immunization waivers) for our AOS, and it was granted no questions asked. Like literally, it was the one area that during interview was flicked through, but no verbal reference was made.

I also used Alan Philips who laid out what we needed to present and how to do it.

It is unhelpful that people like me don't follow up on these threads (in this case this was not my thread), but don't take that to mean the petition was denied and the OP is sulking. Unless you hear for sure one way or the other, do not draw a particular conclusion.

My understanding is that quite a lot of people file the immunization waivers and are successful. Most choose not to broadcast it because they don't need the bashing from the pro vaccine crew.

Had this topic been about an i601 based on criminal convictions, the responses would most likely have stuck to the facts rather than resorting to accuse the OP of making poor life choices because they don't agree with them.

So if you're looking for the likelihood of success for filing an immunization waiver, I believe (based on personal experience) that as long as your case is accurately presented and meets the requirements, you will be approved.

Good luck.

Thank you. Your response practically clarifies this issue.

Although the main question was asked in 2010, still is not outdated.

I personally filed a Vaccine Waiver in 2009 - I did NOT have any problem, therefore my petition WAS successful.

Secondly, vaccines should NOT an obligation. Period. It is a medical advice but not a controlling matter to make an individual subject of it. I have lived 31 years free of vaccines, since I was born, and it goes back to my parents and grandparents and so on.

For this reason the waiver exists and based on the reasons it may be applicable to your case, then please feel free to exercise your rights as well.

Yes, it was granted to me based on Religious grounds, along with three letters translated into English, certified and notarized. The letters were from people who are not from the same church but who have known me since I was born, stating that we practice a healthy lifestyle and though we do not reject medical advice, we chose the option of what is best to our health. Once was from my family's doctor as well.

Edited February 17, 2014 by Ryan_and_Priscy