Results tagged “immigration” from DNA Lady

United States citizens can petition for their spouses, parents, children or silbings to immigrate to the United States and permanent residents can do so for their spouses and unmarried children.

In most cases there are sufficient written records and documents to validate biological relationships claimed on immigration petitions and satisfy the requirements of the U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services or the U.S. Embassy.  However, in the event that more evidence of a biological relationship is needed, a voluntary DNA test may be requested.  DNA Tests are typically requested for immigations and passports and sometimes for other reasons.  It is important to bring all requests for DNA evidence with you to your DNA collection in the  United States, so that you collector will know which agency to contact in your beneficiary's country.  Your paperwork will also indicate where the original DNA results should be sent. 

DNA Testing fees vary by country and by test type.  For example, a U.S. citizen who is petitioning to bring his/her mother to the United States will be ask to pay for a Maternity Test as well as all shipping and postage fees from the United States and back to their beneficiary's country.  On the other hand, a U.S. citizen petitioning to bring over silbings will pay for a siblingship test - based on the number of siblings involved in the test and the shipping and postage fees. All of the DNA Kits sent to Embassies, panel physicians and USCIS offices in foreign countries are done via DHL or FEDEX so that you can maintain a record of sent/received dates and include that information with your interview paperwork.  

The sponsor (or person residing in the United States) will require a government issued photo identification and as mentioned above, a copy of the letter from the USCIS or Embassy asking for a DNA test.  If this letter is not available, the minimum requirement will be paperwork that identifies their government issued case number.   The beneficiary (or person residing outside of the United States) will be collected either at a U.S. Embassy, an approved panel physician in the foreign country and in some cases at the USCIS offices.  Some countries contact the beneficiary in their country with an appointment time, while other countries contact the petitioner with the appointment time.  The beneficiary will need to bring a government issued identification with them to the collection appointment.

After all samples are collected, they are sent back to the United States to an American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) accredited laboratory.  Test results will generally be available within 3 - 5 business days depending on the test type (paternity, maternity, silbingship etc. )  The U.S. government requires that the final results be received directly from the testing laboratory.  Once received, the USCIS typically requires one to two weeks to process once they have received the results package from the AABB accredited laboratory.  The sponsor will also receive a copy of the DNA Test results by regular mail from the DNA collection facility. 

Since most  Embassies and USCIS offices are backed logged with requests - it is important to get the DNA process in motion as soon as you are notified that a DNA test will be required.  There are countries that can close out a case as quickly as 5 weeks and then there are countries that can take up to 5 months to complete a DNA test on the beneficiaries. 

 

There are a few different steps involved with a DNA Test to expedite a Family Based Visa.  The U.S. sponsor should be familiar with the scheduling process of the U .S. Embassy or US Citizens and Immigration Service (USCIS) office in their country of origin.  Here is a snapshot of the process involved in using DNA tests to prove the biological relationship between sponsor and beneficiary(s).

1.)  U.S. sponsor receives notice from the U.S. Embassy Consular Section or USCIS that the paperwork submitted as proof of the family relationship is not sufficient to allow entry of the beneficiary into the United States under a Family Based Visa.

2.)  The U.S. sponsor is then requested to submit additional evidence of relationship and in most cases - a DNA test - or genetic test is suggested.  Today, non-invasive DNA tests can prove maternity, paternity, grand paternity, siblingship and avuncular relationships.

3.)  The U.S. sponsor contacts an AABB approved DNA collection facility to set up sponsor's DNA collection in the United States and put into motion the collection of the benefiiciary(s) in your country of origin.

4.)  Sponsor's DNA is collected and along with identifying paperwork are submitted to an AABB accredited laboratory.

5.) The AABB accredited laboratory submits a request for DNA collection of your beneficiary along with a DNA kit to the U.S. Embassy or USCIS office in your country of origin.

It is at this point in the process, where the U.S. Sponsor begins to panic.  There is no one in the United States that can control the collection process and time frame in U.S. Embassies and USCIS offices in your country of origin.  Your DNA collector will know when the DNA kit and request for collection is received at the U.S. Embassy or USCIS facility in your country of origin but will not be able to confirm to you when your beneficiary(s) collection will take place.  In very few countries, the  U.S. Embassy or USCIS will send a letter to all participants (sponsor, beneficiary and collector) notifying them of the collection date for the beneficiary. 

6.)  The U.S. Embassy or USCIS in your country of origin contacts the beneficiary(s)  based on the address, phone, and email information you supply to the DNA collector in the United States.  It is extremely important to provide accurate and complete information at the time of the sponsor's collection as missing or wrong information will delay and/or cancel your beneficiary(s) collection in your country of origin.

7.)  Your beneficiary(s) DNA and identifying paperwork will be collected in much the same manner as the sponsor was collected in the United States.  Again, your beneficiary must provide proper identification at the time of their collection.  There is usually a local collection fee (as low as $15 for China but as high as $50 for Haiti) for the beneficiary paid directly to the U.S. Embassy or USCIS office doing the local collection and in the local currency. 

8.)  Your beneficiary's DNA is submitted back to the same AABB accredited laboratory in the United States that received your DNA.

9.)  The AABB accredited laboratory submits the original results directly to the U.S. Embassy or USCIS office in the United States that requested you to do the DNA test.

10.)  The DNA collector receives a copy of  your results and mails them to you at the U.S. address you provide at time of collection.

If you have a lawyer or an immigration counselor working with you, they can be provided with the status of your case, only with your written permission.

Depending on the country of origin, some cases process as quickly as 4 weeks while we have seen other countries (West Africa) take up to 6 months just to set up the appointment for the beneficiary.  The U.S. sponsor must be mindful of dates that the USCIS or U.S. Embassy impose on their paperwork.  In some cases, you may submit evidence that the genetic testing is in progress - but by all means make sure you respond to the agency in a timely manner.  Failure to submit your requested documents in a timely manner can and will result in denial of your petitions.

 

 

Recently, on a sales trip to small towns in New Jersey, I did my usual stop into hospitals, lawyers, laboratories, clinics and private practice medical offices.  Most of the office staff and/or laboratory staff are happy to see me.  My presentation about the DNA Test we offer is short and sweet and if there is already a relationship with the facility, I'm usually carrying candy, cookies or gift cards as a small thank you for their referrals.  Private consumers are confused as to where, how and when they can get a DNA test to confirm paternity, siblingship and other biological relationships.  I welcome the few minutes I can get with the office staff to repeat what we do (DNA Tests); how we do it (privately); when we do it (at the customers convenience - no one has to miss work or school) and where we do DNA Tests (our private offices or someplace local that the customer can travel to).

I then take a ride through the local towns and see if there are any places, where a public sign may be welcomed.  You know the kind you usually see in laundromats, libraries, or at exactly eye level on telephone polls at red lights.  Some small towns clearly indicate "post no bills" and so I move on.  On this one day, as I drove up to what look like an acceptable post - about 10 men between the age of 15 and 50 came running up to my car - right to my door.  My car was empty so I could have fit at least 4 men in the front and back seats - so I think these guys thought they hit pay dirt. 

I nearly hit the curb trying to avoid them but then suddenly realized, they thought I was trying to pick them up for day labor.  Honestly, at least 10 able bodied men, sitting on the roadside in the hot sun got on their feet so quickly because they thought "work" had finally come. I know of some able bodied young men, who think looking for work is sitting on computer job boards all day.  I was impressed that these men were not only putting themselves in harms way (you'll understand later) but were so eager and anxious that they ran to my door. 

Since the men were harmless, I decided I would talk to them about my DNA Testing business and that I was there for work, just like they were.  Usually, if you have a minute, I'll talk to you about the merits of DNA testing.    I posted my sign for DNA Testings outlining all the relationships we can confirm:
Paternity
Maternity
GrandPaternity
Siblingship (Full vs. Half vs. UnRelated)
Avuncular (aunts, uncles)

outlining all of our accreditations:
aabb
NYSDOH
FQS-ISO 17025
CLIA
CAP
ASCLD
etc., etc.,  all the necessary accreditations for a government entity to accept the results of our DNA tests.

and finally outlining all the uses a private consumer may have for a DNA Test:

Acknowledge Paternity for a baby's Birth Certificate
Complete Request for Evidence in Immigration Cases
Confirm Maternity or Paternity for Parental Termination in Adoption Cases
Confirm Paternal Relationships via other living relatives in order for children to receive benefits
Confirm Paternity via PreNatal Paternity Tests so that the new dad can participate in preparation for a new baby.

Most of the men were disappointed that I wasn't picking them up for day labor but they were still polite and seem interested in talking to me. I applaud these men for being out there and looking for work but there was one lingering concern on my mind - none of the men understood a word I was saying - no English and even my broken Spanish wasn't working.  One really young guy, maybe 15 kind of looked like he understood Paternity Tests (he probably watches reruns of Maury Povich)  and I used my broken spanish "Paternidad" - he gave a little laugh but still didn't indicate complete comprehension.  One older man, said gracias as I walked away. 
 
So the first question that comes to my mind is how does an employer explain to these men what he/she needs done and secondly, as impressed as I was with their eagerness to work, isn't there something blatantly illegal about this and where are all the able bodied young American guys looking for work?  How do 10 - 15 men, who are obviously not here legally, get to sit on a pretty well known street corner, looking for work and not one public official does anything about them?

And then again, what are you going to do about them.  They need money to support themselves and their families.  They are here and I don't think going back to their country of origin anytime soon (not w/o a ticket from Uncle Sam) They appear to be hard working and if employers weren't picking them up for day work then these men wouldn't be there waiting.  It's a double sided sword - they need the work - employers need hard workers who they can pay "off the books" cheaply.  And let's face it, the age of the American born teenager going around and cutting grass, shoveling snow and doing odd jobs to pay for his first car are over. 

How many times do you interact with a client and just wish they were all like that.  Providing private DNA tests to the community has truly opened my eyes to the world and to the different kinds of people. 

Children of about 4 - 8 years old are particularly fun.  They are somewhat aware that the DNA test has something to do with them and their parents - but they don't grasp the full concept or levity in the situation.

One little boy recently just made my whole day worthwhile.  It was in June in New Jersey and we were either having rainy days or hot, humid days.  Either way going out on a mobile DNA collection in any of that weather was not something I was looking forward to doing that day.  First, establishing that we could use a local social service office to meet and do the collection, then finding parking close to the facility as the area was not one of the best New Jersey has to offer and then getting through the paperwork - I would rather have spent the day in an air conditioned office making phone calls to the gate keepers in doctors and lawyers offices.    You get it.

But, the little guy in the test made my day.  He was about 4 - 5 years old, he was being tested in order that his mother (beneficiary) could be sponsored by him a little 5 year old boy and his older brother and brought to the United States through a family Visa.  He was too young to fully understand how important he was on this day.  As I said, it was probably 80 degrees out and humid as possible.  The little came guy came bouncing into the facility with his dad and sat right down next to me.  He was neatly dressed, his hair all brushed, shoes polished and just a bubbly bunch of energy.  He was also very polite and talkative, a clean slate of open eyed trust and faith.  He had on very cute pin striped pants and couldn't  have been more proud of himself that day because he dressed himself. 

The facility we were using didn't have the best of air conditioning so I was showing signs of feeling the heat, a little runny make-up, a bit of friz in my hair and that clammy feeling.  But my little DNA participant didn't feel a thing.  He had dressed himself to the nines that day and I don't think that his Dad took a good look at him before leaving the house.  My little DNA guy, in 80 degrees and probably 80% humidity had on his Blue Winter Coat with the Big Red Race Car on the front that you couldn't miss as he sat down next to me to tell me all about the car. And underneath, his warm snuggly Big Red Race Car jacket, he has put on two of his favorite yellow T-Shirts - which may have had something to do with sports again but I was too dazzled by his Blue Winter Coat to hear him say what sports the Two T-Shirts underneath his Blue Winter Jacket represented.  You see he did know there was something important about him today, more so than other days and so he had dressed for the event.  All through the DNA test, he talked about the Red Race Car, not the least interested in what a really important thing he was doing that day and I can tell you for two days I smiled about this little guy and his Blue Winter Jacket with Red Racing Car.  Just for the record, his big brother was just as sweet and polite but he didn't have a Red Racing Car jacket. 

You see DNA Tests are not always about "whose the daddy" - DNA tests offer so much more to our community besides just a simple Paternity Test. 

Sometimes, it is the little things that can make it all worthwhile. 

Excerpt from ImmigrationRoad.com

"Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) will never die, or so it appears. Why? Six years after INS - Immigration and Naturalization Service - ceased to exist, the term "INS" is being searched 4 million times around the globe on Google, in a single month. As a comparison, only 1 million for its successor, US Citizens and Immigration Services or USCIS.

When INS was the King, it not only handled immigration services, but also immigration law enforcement. Its Operations division managed INS regional centers, districts, local offices, and international offices. They were responsible for processing millions of visa, immigration and naturalization petitions every year. The Programs division was responsible for law enforcement, including apprehension, detention and deportation of illegal immigrants. INS was also in charge of patrolling the border and ports of entry.

When the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took over INS from the Department of Justice, however, the government wanted to split its core functions. So in March, 2003, the mighty INS came to an end. All service related activities were moved to the newly created United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), while immigration law enforcement became part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and border patrol joined Customs and Border Protection (CBP). INS employees were absorbed into the above agencies with their organizations."

The DNA Lady owns a DNA collections franchise in New Jersey offering non-invasive DNA tests to confirm biological relationships.  Any questions related to DNA whether it is for a simple Peace of  Mind Paternity test to a more complicated Family Reconstruction Test, call the DNA Lady at 732-632-8820 for assistance.  DNA tests are used to confirm paternity, maternity, grand paternity, and siblings (full vs. half vs. unrelated).   Aunts and uncles can also be used to determine biological relationships.  See the DNA lady's blog about Y Chromosomal testing and mt DNA testing.   Court admissible tests offers families assistance in obtaining child support, child visitation, survivor benefits as well as providing a solid foundation for children to develop having full knowledge of both biological parents. 

DNA testing is still a relatively new technology. Individuals, organizations, agencies, and governments are finding new uses for DNA testing all the time. One of the newest uses for DNA testing revolves around Immigration - specifically family-based immigration. This article discusses the primary reasons why immigration DNA testing is needed.

U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents are permitted to petition immediate family members for entrance into the United States. There is an unlimited number of visas granted each year for family-based petitioners. There are many requirements for acquiring a family-based visa. The petitioner must fill out a form I-130 , submit an affidavit of support proving that they can support the beneficiary, and also submit proof that they are biologically related to the beneficiary.  Immigration DNA testing provides the gold standard of biological identification and cuts through any further red tape. 

The petitioner submits the I-130 along with primary evidence such as a birth certificate to show a biological relationship with the beneficiary. There are a number of red flags that can come up during this process. First, the father or mother is not listed on the birth certificate. Second the birth certificate is issued more than a few months after the birth of the child. Third, no birth certificate is available or in some cases, the parents were not married at the time of the child's birth.  In any of these situations the U.S. Embassy or the National Visa Service Center is likely to issue a Request For Evidence(RFE) . The RFE requests further proof or a relationship by means of immigration DNA testing.

Immigration DNA is requested as a means of fraud prevention by the U.S. Immigration Department. INS began a voluntary DNA testing program for African refugees in 2007. They found that out of all the refugees who claimed biological relationships, only 20% could prove it with DNA testing. The rest either refused testing, or the results came back negative. This has raised some eyebrows within the Immigration Department however, in this world of extended families, immigration may need to accept that although the biological relationship does not exist, this sponsor wants to raise a child as his/her own and if the child has no other relatives in the country of origin, then why not allow him/her into the United States. 

Families filing I-130's can expect more precautionary Immigration DNA Testing in the coming years. DNA testing is the most definitive way of proving biological relationships. The cost is not as significant as one might think and it many cases can be accomplished for less than $1000 depending on country of origin and number of family members to be tested.  DNA testings eliminates any doubt of fraudulent paperwork.

DNA testing is becoming the fastest way to complete the RFE's from USCIS, the U.S. Embassies, the National Visa Center and the Passport Office Central.  However, in some countries, when the sponsor or beneficiary is required to provide more evidence of a biological relationship, they are instructed as to which Embassy approved laboratory can be used for their DNA collection.  It is important, to follow their instructions carefully to eliminate any unnecessary cost and time. 

If you are in Guatemala , or if you are in the United States and trying to sponsor a family member in Guatemala, read your documents clearly before setting an appointment with your local DNA collections expert .  The U.S. Embassy or other government agency representing the United States may include the exact name and address of the DNA lab in Guatemala who is handling your DNA collection.  All Immigration cases are cross referenced with Case Numbers relative to your country of origin, year of initiation and petitioner status. 

If you do not have any clear instructions on which lab to contact in Guatemala for a DNA collection , we have listed contact details of a very reliable DNA collections facility to handle your case locally in Guatemala.  Call your local DNA collections expert in the United States (New Jersey)  as well so that they can coordinate the DNA collection between yourself (the sponsor) and your family member(s) (beneficiary) in Guatemala.

Dr. Patricia Zaid, QB/ Dr. Martha Balsells QB

TECNICAS BIOLOGICAS, S.A.

Laboratory Director

Edif Geminis 10, Torre Sur, of 332

Guatemala, Ciudad 01010

phone:  mobile (502) 5201 5914     office: (502) 2338 2837    fax:  (502) 2385 5194

email:  p_zaid@yahoo.com

 

Las pruebas que no se realicen en el país, las referimos directamente a laboratorios certificados de los Estados Unidos de América, enviando cualquier tipo de análisis y pruebas especiales como:

Problemas de crecimiento
Paternidad (con pases legales)
Muestras para Oncologia
Plasmas, sueros, orinas.
Otros

The DNA Lady is your local source in the United States for all DNA related questions.  Feel free to communicate your questions to the DNA lady via our email option.  All questions are confidential.

DNA testing is still a relatively new technology. Individuals, organizations, agencies, and governments are finding new uses for DNA testing all the time. One of the newest uses for DNA testing revolves around Immigration - specifically family-based immigration. This article discusses the primary reasons why immigration DNA testing is needed.

U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents are permitted to petition immediate family members for entrance into the United States. There is an unlimited number of visas granted each year for family-based petitioners. There are many requirements for acquiring a family-based visa. The petitioner must fill out a form I-130 , submit an affidavit of support proving that they can support the beneficiary, and also submit proof that they are biologically related to the beneficiary. This is where Immigration DNA testing comes into play.

The petitioner submits the I-130 along with primary evidence such as a birth certificate to show a biological relationship with the beneficiary. There are a number of red flags that can come up during this process. First, the father or mother is not listed on the birth certificate. Second the birth certificate is issued more than a few months after the birth of the child. Third, no birth certificate is available. Lastly, the child could have been born out of wedlock and therefore the sponsor father in the USA needs confirmation of his paternity.  In any of these situations the U.S. Embassy or the Visa Service Center is likely to issue a Request For Evidence(RFE) . The RFE requests further proof of the relationship by means of a DNA test. 

DNA tests can confirm paternity, maternity, siblingship, grand parentage and even avuncular relationships.  If the family visa is based upon a biological relationship between the sponsor and the beneficiary then there is a DNA test to prove it.

Immigration DNA is requested as a means of fraud prevention by the U.S. Immigration Department. INS began a voluntary DNA testing program for African refugees in 2007. They found that out of all the refugees who claimed biological relationships, only 20% could prove it with DNA testing. The rest either refused testing, or the results came back negative. This has raised some eyebrows within the Immigration Department.

Families filing I-130's can expect more precautionary Immigration DNA Testing in the coming years. DNA testing is the most definitive way of proving biological relationships. The cost is not that significant and it eliminates any doubt of fraudulent paperwork as well as expedites the process of family reunification.

If you reside in Guyana and require a DNA test to confirm your biological relationship to a US citizen, the below is the U.S. Embassy approved laboratory and contact information. 

Eureka Medical Laboratory
263 Thomas Street
North Cummingsburg, Georgetown,
Guyana, South America
Telephone: 592 2257574
Fax:  59268979

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Mon-Frid. Sat 8:30 -2:00 PM.,

email address andrewboyle86@hotmail.com

website www.eurekalabgy.com.

Approval of an Immigrant Petition

Approval of an immigrant petition does not convey any right or status. The approved petition simply establishes a basis upon which the person you filed for can apply for an immigrant or fiance(e) visa or for adjust of status.

A person is not guaranteed issuance of a visa or a grant of adjustment simply because this petition is approved.  Those processes look at additional criteria.

If you receive a notice indicating approved immigration status, be sure that the same document has been forwarded to the State Immigration Visa Processing Center so that they can contact the person you filed the petition for directly with information about visa issuance.

Approval of Non-Immigrant Petition
Approval of a non-immigrant petition means that the person for whom it was filed has been found eligible for the requested classification.  If you receive a notice indicating that a U.S. Consulate has been notifed about the approval for the purpose of a visa issuance, and you are not clear on the next step in your process, please contact the appropriate U.S. Consulate directly.  The office to contact is usually listed on the reverse side of a notice.