Reschedule I-485 Interview

[chalkumra]

Hello,
I and my wife have an interview coming in 20 days (July 29), so we went through the medical examination (I-693). My wife's TB blood test came out as positive and she needs to have a chest x-ray. However, as she is pregnant (22 weeks) the doctor is not recommending to perform the x-ray until about the next 1.5 months. So, I need to reschedule the interview. How can I reschedule the appointment? Will only my wife's appointment can be rescheduled or both of us? Any advice is highly appreciated.

[Maria L]

Chalkumra, I know this might sound not very helpful, but can she take the TB test somewhere else? Like a 2nd set of tests.
I noticed a lot of cases with positive bloods tests and negative X-rays. There's definitely something in the blood that triggers the tests to come out as positive (maybe your wife had the TB shot as a child) .
I would try that one more time before asking USCIS to re-schedule..my opinion.

[chalkumra]

Thanks for the suggestion. She did, in fact, take a TB Skin Test (in 2018, I had the proper documentation) which was negative. But the civil surgeon said that USCIS requires a blood test (which he mentioned that the procedure was updated recently). Yes, the positive TB blood test (which is fairly common in South Asian countries like Bangladesh) and negative chest x-ray is fairly common. Her sister also had a positive blood test and negative chest x-ray, so I am not optimistic that a second blood test will help. The only problem is regarding the pregnancy that recommends no x-ray during the first two trimesters. As per USCIS rules, there is no way to avoid the chest x-ray. So, it seems rescheduling is our only safest option.

[Maria L]

My doctor told me almost all Asian patients have this issue, even though they don't have TB.
In this case, maybe rescheduling would be the best option. The baby and your wife don't deserve being geopardised. All the luck and health to your family!!

[scientist2016]

Hello,
I and my wife have an interview coming in 20 days (July 29), so we went through the medical examination (I-693). My wife's TB blood test came out as positive and she needs to have a chest x-ray. However, as she is pregnant (22 weeks) the doctor is not recommending to perform the x-ray until about the next 1.5 months. So, I need to reschedule the interview. How can I reschedule the appointment? Will only my wife's appointment can be rescheduled or both of us? Any advice is highly appreciated.

My recommendation would be to not reschedule the interview, but attend it. Your wife's case will be issued an RFE for I693, while yours will have no such hiccups. You can always submit the I693 in response to the RFE. If you reschedule your interview, there is no simple answer to the question as to when the interview would be rescheduled to. Why was the opportunity in hand.
Most of the Asian countries administer TB vaccines, and hence the higher incidence of false positives. Skin test is no longer accepted, beginning Oct 2018.

[chalkumra]

My recommendation would be to not reschedule the interview, but attend it. Your wife's case will be issued an RFE for I693, while yours will have no such hiccups. You can always submit the I693 in response to the RFE. If you reschedule your interview, there is no simple answer to the question as to when the interview would be rescheduled to. Why was the opportunity in hand.
Most of the Asian countries administer TB vaccines, and hence the higher incidence of false positives. Skin test is no longer accepted, beginning Oct 2018.

That is quite an interesting advice. Is there any USCIS rule that says I have to complete I693 before the interview, or the process describing such a situation? I would like to print such a scenario for reference purpose as we face the interview. This seems to benefit us as we are not in a hurry (relatively speaking) of the approval but don't want to miss or reschedule the interview.

[Enub4]

If I were you, I would ask the doctor to give you a letter saying that the I-693 physical started but there is a need for X-ray and is not recommended to do it, for pregnancy, until X date. You then go to your interview with that and explain the situation, they will send the RFE requesting the I-693 and give you around 3 months (most likely).

[Maria L]

On my courtesy letter for the i-693 it states that if I fail to submit the medical form before or at the date of my interview, the case might be denied or delayed.
I suggest consulting an immigration attorney.

[chalkumra]

If I were you, I would ask the doctor to give you a letter saying that the I-693 physical started but there is a need for X-ray and is not recommended to do it, for pregnancy, until X date. You then go to your interview with that and explain the situation, they will send the RFE requesting the I-693 and give you around 3 months (most likely).

Thanks. I am now thinking of the same route. I found here (https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/...rt-b-chapter-4) that an incomplete I-693 means an RFE. My lawyer also seemed to indicate this. As a backup, I am planning to call USCIS to see what they suggest. At least I would be able to say I tried to contact them.

[chalkumra]

On my courtesy letter for the i-693 it states that if I fail to submit the medical form before or at the date of my interview, the case might be denied or delayed.
I suggest consulting an immigration attorney.

I would definitely talk to them this week. We have a doctor's appointment (ObGyn) and we would urge the doctor to issue a letter to send to the civil surgeon. Finger crossed.