Why do immigrants and adjustment of status applicants have to show proof they have received certain vaccinations?
A. In 1996, Congress provided in legislation that every immigrant entering the United States, or every individual seeking adjustment of status to that of a legal permanent resident, show proof that he or she was vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases. The text for this requirement is in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), section 212(a)(1)(A)(ii). Q. How does the CDC decide which vaccines are required for immigration purposes? A. Some of the vaccines that are required are specifically listed in the INA. In addition to these, the statute also requires that an individual receive any other vaccinations recommended by the ACIP. CDC uses the following criteria in determining which of these recommended vaccines should be required for immigration purposes: • The vaccine must be an age-appropriate vaccine as recommended by the ACIP for the general U.S. population, and • At least one of the following: • The vaccine must protect against a disease that has the potential to cause a
