Vaccine Waiver for Immigration Purposes

[kmamma]

Hello!

I'm a Swedish citizen who has previously lived in the States for a 12 year period of time. I have now been back in Sweden for two years and thus have lost my residency status. We are considering the possibility of returning to the States, but I'm feeling very disheartened at the prospect of receiving an exemption from the USCIS' long list of required vaccines in order to receive a green card.

The cost for applying for a green card is pretty steep to begin with, and on top of that the waiver is another $600. I'm afraid I will have paid $2000 total only to find out that my waiver has been rejected. I will not go to the US if I'm required to get vaccinated. I'm very strongly opposed to it, have never had my kids vaccinated for anything.

From my google searches I have found a couple of sample letters (claiming religious objection) that resulted in a favorable outcome. However, I don't belong to a church at all. As in NY state, the objection has to be sincere and it appears that applicants are called in for interviews. Wow.

I'm sort of ready to abandon my hopes, but I've decided to make a last effort to gather more information, specifically coming directly from people who have been in the same situation. I hope that I can find at least one on this board! 

I have considered getting legal help, and found this man online, Alan Philips, who appears to have helped several families and individuals securing a waiver. 

However, I'm a little skeptical regarding certain things he mentioned in an email to me, such as not accepting credit card or checks, only money orders, and I would have to pay a deposit and get a refund should the case involve fewer hours than estimated. He also started out the email discussing how other immigration lawyers claim it's impossible to receive an exemption, but he on the other hand has helped several people get one.

I don't know, perhaps he's sincere.

I wonder if I can go it alone as well. I think I have a good grasp on what constitutes a valid religious/moral objection (fearing physical harm should be left out as it's not considered reason enough to decline). But I don't have a pastor that can back up my claims. I don't adhere to any particular religion at all. Just my own spiritual convictions, really.   

Thanks!

[nia82]

I would recommend a lawyer to get this done! I had no idea I could get a waiver when I went through the process (2006) and ended up with a chickenpox vaccine (luckily the list was shorter in 2006 and since I had either had shots or the diseases for the other requirements I was all set - it was "only" DTP, polio, MMR and chickenpox then). I'm not sure about that lawyer, and I also know nobody who used the waiver. I just hope that it will work out for you in your favor!

[kmamma]

Thank you for the reply.

The list back in 98 was even shorter, I only had to take tetanus and polio. Back then I was not aware of vaccine dangers and didn't care. But I had a pretty bad reaction, fever and a lot of swelling and pain. 

I got a name of another lawyer on NY exemption post here. I've emailed her and I hope her fees are modest.