New Episode of "Hablando con Carolina" - Medical Exam Changes and Court Deadlines
- Antonini & Cohen
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
In the latest episode of "Hablando con Carolina," experienced immigration attorney Kathleen Hoyos from Antonini & Cohen Immigration Law Group discusses two important topics: new medical exam requirements for residency applications and a new court memorandum affecting case processing deadlines.
At Antonini & Cohen, our dedicated Atlanta immigration attorneys will help you navigate the immigration process to ensure you secure your legal status. Now is the time to prepare—contact us to schedule a consultation.
New Medical Exam Requirements for Residency Applications
One recent update involves an immediate change to applications for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status requirements. Previously, applicants could submit their residency application first and provide the medical examination later when requested by USCIS. This process helped avoid issues with medical exams expiring during lengthy processing times.
However, USCIS now requires that all applications for LPR status include a complete medical examination at the time of initial submission. This means:
I-485 applications cannot be submitted without a complete medical exam.
The medical exam must be performed by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon.
This change reflects a broader shift in USCIS processing. Incomplete applications are more likely to be rejected rather than applicants receiving requests for additional evidence. Kathleen emphasizes that applicants must submit complete packages with all required documentation.
Contact Antonini & Cohen Immigration Law Group to schedule a consultation and learn more about this process.
Important Information About Medical Exams
Kathleen also discusses crucial details about the medical examination process. As mentioned above, the exam must be performed by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon (not your personal physician). You can find approved physicians on the USCIS website by entering your zip code. Here are some important notes about the exam:
Required vaccinations include those for hepatitis, polio, and rubella. The COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required.
Always request a copy of your exam results, before they are sealed, to check for errors.
The sealed medical exam envelope must remain sealed when submitted to USCIS.
Medical exams are valid indefinitely but should be submitted as soon as possible.
Notices to Appear – Important DHS Scheduling Deadlines
Attorney Kathleen Hoyos addresses a memorandum issued in August 2024 establishing important 2025 deadlines that affect individuals with pending Notices to Appear (NTAs) in immigration court.
Kathleen explains that many people have received NTAs, but their cases don't yet appear in the court system because DHS hasn't formally filed the notice with the court. If DHS misses the mandated deadlines for filing an NTA with the court, judges may find a "processing failure" and close the case. With these deadlines approaching, Kathleen anticipates that DHS will be working quickly to file these notices, meaning many people will suddenly receive actual court dates.
Failing to appear in court will lead to a deportation order, making it essential to stay informed about your case status. Scheduling a consultation with Antonini & Cohen’s experienced immigration lawyers is crucial to reviewing your case and protecting your legal status. Call (470) 428-3200 or fill out our contact form.
At Antonini & Cohen, we know how.
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For more episodes of Hablando con Carolina, click here.
