I’ve been doing lots of immigration forum browsing lately trying to get a feel for the common concerns of U.S. citizens who are petitioning relatives. A process which takes anywhere between 6 months and 10 years to complete, obtaining legal permanent residence for a family member can be a daunting task. Financial requirements, filing of forms, and interviews require families to be informed and prepared. Many families are hearing from friends that the USCIS will request a DNA test for immigration between family members. Families wonder if it will happen to them.
USCIS or the Department of State is likely to request a DNA test for immigration when they are suspicious of fraud. Birth certificates, photographs, insurance records and other documentation should be used to prove you and your family member’s biological relationship. There are two main instances where DNA testing is requested, according to immigration attorney Rachel C. Tadmor:
- When a child’s parents are not married
- When a birth certificate is issued many years after the child’s birth
Immigration officials will typically look at birth records, school records, and photographs before resorting to DNA testing. If a DNA test is requested, it is important to complete the test as quickly as possible, because processing is stopped until completion.
Rachel Tadmor is an immigration attorney in Worcester, MA. She has extensive experience working with the African community, and our clients highly recommend her.
