Be Wary Of Immigration E-mail Scams

Many hopeful immigrants are waiting for word that they’ve received a Green Card allowing them to remain in the United States. They’ve registered with the US State Department Diversity Visa (DV) program and are praying their names will come up in the lottery.

The DV program offers up to 55,000 visas every year for people who want to immigrate to the US. Applicants are drawn from a computer managed lottery system and can then move forward with the process. It is a completely random system and cannot be influenced.

Don’t let an email scam fool you.

Becoming a United States citizen is the dream of all who apply and therefore they may be susceptible to less then trustworthy individuals who prey on their hopes. The number of scams has risen and unfortunately many people have been taken in and lost hundreds of dollars.

Email is the method of choice and they look and sound official. Most often they will use the immigrants name and personal information and congratulate the individual on their winning. They will ask for a  “processing fee” to be wired in advance to begin the procedure and give an overseas address.

If you’ve applied for the DV program be aware of how you can be fooled. There are a number of ways to protect yourself if you are the recipient of such a notification.

• The State Department does not authorize any other organization or private company to notify applicants to the program.
• There is no charge to enter the DV program. You can enter at www.dvlottery.state.gov.
• If the website or domain name on the email doesn’t end in .gov it is not affiliated with the US government.
• The only time you will pay a fee for the DV application process will be in person to the US Embassy or consulate cashier at the time of your appointment. You will never be asked to send payment in advance by any means.
• The State Department does NOT notify selected applicants by mail or email. Beginning with the DV-2012 program entrants will be responsible for checking their status themselves through the Entrant Status Check at www.dvlottery.state.gov
• Selection of entries is random. No one can promise to increase your odds of being selected.
• Never send personal documents such as birth certificate, passport, driver’s license or any other similar information. You could be setting yourself up for identity theft.

Most of all just remember that if is sounds to good to be true it probably is. It’s unfortunate and sad that immigrants who enter the process legally and without deception can be taken advantage of and become a victim. But it happens so protect yourself and be smart.

Dr. Ann at American Medical Exams is a provider of the USCIS physical exam and has over ten years of experience. Her office will provide you with the most comprehensive exam and they’re up to speed on all requirements necessary to complete your application.

Con Artist Poses As Immigration Official

We’ve warned our readers about email scams promising a better chance at the DV lottery or asking for application fees for Green Card processing. Unfortunately these scammers prey upon hopeful and sometimes even desperate people and they’ve made a lot of money doing it. It can be difficult to distinguish a real communication from a false one and unfamiliarity with the English language often complicates things as well.

At American Medical Exams we’re on your side and our goal is to help anyone who wants to make the United States their home. So once again we want to warn you to always ask for identification and never give money to an individual claiming to represent the US Government. Another scam was recently uncovered and although the perpetrator was arrested there may be more out there.

On May 31, 2012 a woman was arrested on suspicion of posing as a federal agent and taking tens of thousands of dollars from illegal immigrants to allegedly win them legal resident status.

Fourteen victims told authorities they paid between $4,000 and $8,000 each to Araceli Martinez, 47, who posed as an immigration and customs enforcement agent, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.It’s likely that there are more scam artists like Araceli Martinez out there with their sights set on vulnerable immigrants. So protect your hard earned money and be watchful. And remember, the only time you’ll pay any fees will be in person and at the US Embassy or consulate cashier and you will never be asked to pay in advance.

If you are in the Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka or other areas and you need your USCIS exam stop by American Medical Exams. Dr. Ann Socolofsky has been doing the exams for over ten years and she would love to help you with your American Dream.

Why I Came To America

If I stay in America, I’ll try to be one of the best residents. Maybe, some day, I will be the citizen who came here to work and found an opportunity to grow up economical and intellectually but, I know I have to work hard if I want to get such a reward some day.

–Dagoberto Olvera-came to the US in 1990

My husband and I work very hard for my children. We want our children to have education in the future and to be good people. I always thank God very very much for my family have freedom.

No matter the reason, immigrants to the US come with hope.

-Linda Thong-came to the US in 1985

Then sheepishly I said to the woman who had approached me before, “I lied to you, because of what I’ve been through in Hungary.” She put her hand on my shoulder. She understood. I didn’t realize I was free, I wasn’t going to be put in prison.

-Endre Bohem, Ellis Island in 1921

People have been coming to the United States since before it was the United States. Ever since a ship called The Mayflower arrived at what would become Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. In the almost 400 years since then the welcome has varied from open arms to electric fences but the dream has remained the same. A better life for themselves and their families, the opportunity to succeed or to be safe, the chance to be free. Not all have succeeded and some have succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.

Albert Einstein, Sergey Rachmaninov, Cary Grant, Andrew Carnegie, and Elle Wiesel are a very few of the immigrants who have enriched science, culture, philanthropy and human rights. Endre Bohem went on to Hollywood and worked as a screenwriter and producer in films and television. Perhaps the children of Linda Thong and Dagoberto Olvera will grow up to become household names. And even if they don’t but simply participate in the daily whirl of American life and find some happiness they will have succeeded.

American Medical Exams is proud to participate in the process of transitioning hopeful immigrants into U. S citizens or green card holders. Dr. Ann Socolofsky has over twenty years of hospital and clinical experience and as a US Civil Surgeon has been completing USCIS physical exams for over ten of those years. Dr. Ann knows how complex, challenging and sometimes even discouraging the process can be. That’s why her office is committed to offering the best possible service to make this part of the journey a little bit easier. Call us at 785-234-5777 to learn how we can help. Se habla español.

What Are Important Questions to Ask A Civil Surgeon?

Many times when people are looking for a civil surgeon, they don’t have any way of knowing if that civil surgeon will do a good job in completing their application. It can help to get recommendations from friends and family who’ve gone through process before you. It can also help to personally ask civil surgeon questions about what to expect during the exam.

Question To Ask A Civil Surgeon #1:  How much is the USCIS Medical Exam going to cost?

Some physicians can charge a low amount (around $100) and some charge a higher amount, even up to $800. A low-cost isn’t necessarily a good deal, and a high cost doesn’t necessarily mean you have someone with a great deal of confidence. Sometimes people will quote a low-cost on the phone, but only include the basic medical exam. What they won’t include are any vaccinations, x-rays or testing. When you call to ask about cost, ask about what’s involved in the cost. Does it include:

• Tuberculous skin test (if needed)
• Tuberculous blood test
• X-Rays
• Vaccines

These can all change the cost of the exam. Know what you’re getting into when scheduling your appointment. Sometimes it might be worthwhile to go with a more expensive if it includes more things that you will need.

Question To Ask A Civil Surgeon #2:How much experience do you have in doing exams?

There are many civil surgeons, especially in small towns, that do USCIS exams in addition to medical procedures. There’s no problem in doing this as long as they stay up-to-date with changes that go on with USCIS paperwork.

USCIS requirements change, sometimes as often as every year, and you need a civil surgeon up-to-date with what’s going on with USCIS exam.

Question To Ask A Civil Surgeon #3:  What services are offered in the office?

Some can do complete exam in the office (including chest x-rays and vaccinations). Most often these are civil surgeons with offices in large cities who process a lot of immigration exams. Some in smaller offices may refer you outside of their office for simple procedures, like chest x-rays. Common places to refer are hospitals or health departments. This is not a problem in their service, they may be getting you a better deal as far as the cost of these exams (chest x-rays and vaccines) than they’d be able to provide in their own office. It’s not a bad thing to be sent to another office for the chest x-ray – just know what you’re getting into ahead of time.

Question To Ask A Civil Surgeon #4: How long will it take to get paperwork?

The amount of time it takes to get paperwork will vary. If you’re a complicated case, it can take more than a month. Some offices can give you your paperwork very same day if you have all testing and vaccinations done before you go into the office. It’s important for you to have some idea of how long this will take so you have the right expectations before you schedule the exam.

To Summarize the questions to ask a Civil Surgeon:

Ask a civil surgeon about:

• Cost of the exam – know what you’ll be paying.
• Experience of civil surgeon – meet with someone who’s qualified to provide services you want.
• What Services are provided by civil surgeon in office?
• How long to take to receive paperwork?

If you ask all of these questions when you make you appointment, there should be no surprises. You’ll know what the civil surgeon will be doing to take care of your USCIS application.

What Vaccinations are Required for Adults ages 18-50 for the USCIS Medical Exam?

If you’re between 18-50 and you’re applying for the USCIS Medical Exam, you need three vaccinations you’re required to have.

 

1. Tetanus Vaccination

Good vaccination to have every 10 years anyway.

2. Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)

The tetanus and MMR both require a specific date that they were given.

3. Vericella (Chicken Pox)

If you have chicken pox as a child, the civil surgeon can accept that without having information about vaccinations.

If you’ve not had these vaccinations, a civil surgeon can help administer so you meet all requirements for the USCIS Medical Exam.

What is the USCIS Exam? | ¿Qué es el Examen de USCIS?

The USCIS Exam (also known as I-693 Exam) is one of the final steps toward citizenship. View our video below to understand more about the test!

(Véase más abajo para una explicación en español.)

The USCIS Exam

This exam must be performed by a civil surgeon – a doctor who is qualified by The Department of Homeland Security to carry out the full exam process. The civil surgeon will:

• Do a medical history
• Perform a physical exam
• Make sure you have the proper vaccinations required for citizenship
• Check to see if you’ve had all required testing (like tuberculous and syphilis)

The physician will put the completed application in a sealed envelope that can be delivered to Homeland Security.

Once the USCIS exam is complete, you’re almost finished with the steps to becoming a U.S. citizen.

Find a Civil Surgeon in Kansas

If you’re near the Topeka, KS area, Dr. Ann with American Medical Exams can perform your USCIS physical exams. She has over 20 years of medical experience in hospital and clinic settings, and almost 10 years in completing USCIS exams. She received her M.D. at the University Of Kansas School Of Medicine and also has a Masters in Business Administration. She is Board Certified in both Family Practice and Urgent Care Medicine. Her Spanish training allows her to converse with Latin American Patients.

For our Spanish-Speaking Friends:

El examen de USCIS

Este examen debe ser realizado por un cirujano civil – un médico que está calificado por el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional para llevar a cabo el proceso de examen completo. El cirujano civil hará lo siguiente:

¿Es una historia médica
Realizar un examen físico
Asegúrese de tener las vacunas apropiadas requeridas para la ciudadanía
Revise para ver si usted ha tenido todas las pruebas requeridas (como tuberculosis y la sífilis)

El médico pondrá la solicitud completa en un sobre cerrado que se puede entregar al Departamento de Seguridad Nacional.

Una vez que el examen de USCIS es completa, ya está casi terminado con los pasos para convertirse en ciudadano de los EE.UU..

Busque un cirujano civil en Kansas

Si estás cerca de la Ann Topeka, KS área, el doctor con los exámenes médicos estadounidenses pueden realizar sus exámenes físicos del USCIS. Ella tiene más de 20 años de experiencia médica en hospitales y clínicas, y casi 10 años en la realización de los exámenes del USCIS. Recibió su doctorado en medicina en la Universidad de Kansas Facultad de Medicina y también tiene una Maestría en Administración de Empresas. Ella está certificado en medicina familiar y medicina, tanto de atención urgente. Su formación española le permite conversar con los pacientes de América Latina.