Please can I call you to ask specific questions. Called Emory midtown hospital and I honestly don't understand what they've been saying...i sent a mail tho.
Thanks

Ayokunle07:
Hello house.

I'm grateful for the gift of this forum. I have consulted nairaland at almost every point of my adult life since 2007 - from the time I came fresh out of school, then NYSC, job, relationship, visa interview, and now birthing in the US. In the course of this journey, I have made interesting friends from here, and received countless invaluable contributions from guys here.

So here is the full account of the missionary journey of my DW.

She flew Qatar Airways at 34w4d to Atlanta in July. The journey was long. The layover was about 9 hours and Qatar pulled an unfortunately ugly card. We had arranged their complimentary hotel from Lagos (they call it STPC) and on the morning of the flight, we got the printed voucher. She got to Qatar and she was told her the airport hotel was full. They gave her a city hotel but Qatar Immigrations would not allow her in. It was later I learnt that Qatar immigrations won't allow entry to people flying for medical purposes/pregnancy.

Fast forward to Atlanta airport, no fireworks. The CBP asked her what she was there for and she told them to have her baby. Dazol! The man then told her to always carry her receipts. Not one document asked or presented.

Hospital: Emory Midtown (Dr Tates)

I'll skip the details that most of us know but I believe some other info here may help mamas contemplating Atlanta and Emory.

We paid for CS and epidural, about $6,525 and Dr Tate's $1,500. On the first appointment, he recommended a test that cost about $100 or so at another location due to the peculiarity of her pregnancy. Dr Tate said she'd need to be induced. She was induced at Emory on Saturday afternoon. All this time I was afraid of the bills that would be slammed at us as we seem to have clearly gone out of the provisions of the package by the induction - but DW's health was paramount to me. But, God, being so good, she pushed without epidural on Sunday afternoon and was discharged on Wednesday. That's about 4 days in the hospital.

Then the big bills came. About 3 weeks later, the adjusted zero balance statement came in. To cut it short, our prepaid money covered for the induction and the 4 days stay in the hospital (that was amazing). Since it was VD, we got a refund of the exact difference. Epidural refund was to come a month after the delivery. Because we paid with a USD card (GTB), refund was easy and straight. We didn't open any account in America. Emory's in-house paed, Child Healthcare of Atlanta, CHOA charged five hundred plus for 'professional' fees the first time with a discount of 40% if payment is made 30 days after receipt of the bill. About a month and half later, the same CHOA sent another bill of 283 for the '2nd physician'. DW argued and shouted and told them she cannot pay after already getting a zero balance from the same CHOA. They offered the 40% discount but DW asked for a 70% discount! They accepted and we paid. We also engaged an external paed after delivery, Kidcare,..cost $140 on first visit, and $90 for the second visit.

SSN came in by mail about a week after delivery. DW waited for me to arrive before we picked up the BC and the other documentation (that was about 1 month after delivery). We got the Nigerian passport after 3 visits to the Consulate at Roswell. $77 fee, $30 for the business centre that we paid through, and $65 for money order to expedite it. If you are in Atlanta, you can PM me to give you tips because expediting is not really an option for all. You must have proof that you are travelling in a few days time. Got the passport one week after. US passport was expedited ($165 I think, not sure now) and collected same day, in fact in 3 hours sef. Infant ticket was bought over the phone at $150 or so.

Special thanks to God and all the contributors on this forum especially cfcchick, Eilenora, reniduke. I am available to assist expectant Emory mamas. God bless you all.

ozymes:
@Babloochuchu, Please it appears we both going to be in El PASO same period for same purpose I sincrely like to contact you atleast to meet a fellow Naija over there. Here is my contact please: ozymes@yahoo.co.uk

Ok, I will email you my contact number when we arrive.

OnJosh1:


Hello Favouredmum, How are you doing? I'm a FTM and was searching for cost of Rhogam shot and saw your 2015 post about it being included in the bill for Oakbend. By GOD'S Grace I'm a Jan 2018 Mum and I intend using Oakbend and Dr E. Pls I need to send you a pm. Thanks

Hi, I saw ur pm and tried responding but it bounced back. Kindly follow me or ask ur question here.

Thank you

MamaOO:

Yes. He is a citizen. We his parents are citizens as well. But being a citizen doesn’t automatically qualify you for Medicaid. You have to actually be eligible based on income. Medicaid is for low income earners and people living below poverty lines but live and earn money in the US. He is entitled to Medicaid because we (his parents live here), work and we get taxed, but he isn’t qualified based on his parents’ income being over the eligibility threshold and that’s despite the fact that for every monthly paycheck, the government deducts Medicaid taxes from our salary, which between me and my husband is around $800 a month. No jokes.

Being a US citizen doesn’t automatically qualify you for Medicaid. Note that I said the bills was eventually sorted out between Medicaid and our insurance companies. We were not qualified for Medicaid based on our income. Medicaid has an income threshold to qualify and once you’re over that threshold, you don’t qualify.

I guess the hospital enrolled him because his case was so critical (he had severe jaundice, that was life threatening) and he even had to be airlifted via an air ambulance to Valley Children’s. The bills were mounting (the bill for the air ambulance itself was $51,450 or so), they needed insurance for him pronto and I wasn’t there. They wouldn’t allow me ride in the air ambulance with him, so while they already airlifted him to Madera, I was still in the hospital trying to sort and sign my discharge papers, talk to social workers, go home and pack cos they told us to expect to be there for at least two weeks, shop for essentials and then drive two hours to Madera from where we live. I didn’t see him until about 10hours later and by the time I did, he had already been admitted, ragged, paperwork filled out and receiving treatment.

When you apply for Medicaid, they ask income based questions don’t they? That’s to know if you qualify. You as a mother, on birth tourism should not answer those income questions cos you don’t make income here neither do you pay taxes.

Let me even chip this in. Once the child grows up and probably wants to attend college here, they have to pay out of state tuition and in most cases, out of state tuition is even as expensive as international tuition. We all know how expensive international tuition is don’t we? You might ask why they have to pay out of state tuition when they’re US citizens?. It’s because they for them to qualify to in-state tuition, you must have been resident in that state for at least two years or more, depending on the state. The kids lived in Nigeria so they’re not resident in any state. Hence, the out of state tuition is needed. They will/might qualify for student loans though, and they will need to start paying that back as soon as they’re out of college.

And yes, the bill was in his name, the Medicaid was in his name as well. But when you fill out your paperwork, they demand for parents name and sometimes social security number. When they run your name, they can see you have insurance and that’s where they contact your insurance, since you’re his parents and you have insurance they expect you to put your child on your insurance and not on government assistance.

MamaOO..,

Thanks again for this detailed info. Pls my friend is right in your shoes. she is here for birth tourism and was delivered sometimes last week. baby was manage in NICU for about 4 days and bills started accumulating.

She went for the pediatricians visit this week and had to be moved as an emergency to another childrens hospital. appatently her child has life threatening jaundice. She is so confused amd devastated. I spoke to her now and she says that people advised that shegets Medicare for the child being a US citizen and that if she can prove that she paid all her own bills it will suffice for renewal of her VISA. Based on this write up I advised her against it. but yet again how on earth can she pay the bills?

so just in case she chooses to get Medicare what is the process?
If she chooses not to get Medicare can she be given significant discount since she is self pay.
Should she wait until she gets the bills first before applying for the Medicare just to know what she is dealing with first.

Poor girl. just wanted to have an American child. didn't bargain for this.

HouseofMabella:
mehn u try ooo, pele! not easy, but its worth it, may we all live to enjoy the fruits of our labor amen

What're the fruits!? Apart from traveling with US passport. All other things.. U must pay.

drI:



MamaOO..,

Thanks again for this detailed info. Pls my friend is right in your shoes. she is here for birth tourism and was delivered sometimes last week. baby was manage in NICU for about 4 days and bills started accumulating.

She went for the pediatricians visit this week and had to be moved as an emergency to another childrens hospital. appatently her child has life threatening jaundice. She is so confused amd devastated. I spoke to her now and she says that people advised that shegets Medicare for the child being a US citizen and that if she can prove that she paid all her own bills it will suffice for renewal of her VISA. Based on this write up I advised her against it. but yet again how on earth can she pay the bills?

so just in case she chooses to get Medicare what is the process?
If she chooses not to get Medicare can she be given significant discount since she is self pay.
Should she wait until she gets the bills first before applying for the Medicare just to know what she is dealing with first.

Poor girl. just wanted to have an American child. didn't bargain for this.

So sorry about her predicament. This kind of situation is not what I would wish on my enemy.

That said, I wasn't here on birth tourism when I had my child. I actually lived and still live in the US. And note where I said that the insurance (mine and my husband) had to pay back the money Medicaid paid the doctors, hospital and for medication. If my insurance had refused the charges (my husband's insurance actually the charges for the air ambulance at first stating that they could have taken my son to San Joaquin Hospital instead of Valley Children's and only paid after the hospital and his pediatrician submitted letters on why they had to take him to VCH), we would have been stuck with the bills and made to pay back every penny.

Now, your friend is on birth tourism, baby has jaundice, probably due to ABO incompatibility (that was what mine had), and is seeking to use Medicaid. That is not fair and very wrong because medicaid was funded through the back of of working, tax paying citizens for other citizens and LPR who cannot afford insurance. The argument of the baby being a USC doesn't hold water. He is a USC but does he earn any money? Pay taxes? Contributed to Medicaid? Do his parents pay taxes? Remember when she got her visa, they asked her if she was financially capable, and she answered in the affirmative. We should always be prepared for cases like this.

Proving she paid her bills and Medicaid paid her son's bill during renewal, im pretty sure is probably gonna anger the VO and earn her a denial. Tell her to talk to the hospital and see if her bills can get discounted and if she can get on a payment plan. Or maybe reach out to charity organizations

elfmann:

What're the fruits!? Apart from traveling with US passport. All other things.. U must pay.

in Nigeria are we getting things for free? in Nigeria do they value life? its a free world if u feel like not holding American passport so be it. Nigeria is in a state of stagnation where nothing works and wt diverse problem we are to cope wt so its a free world

aremso:


in Nigeria are we getting things for free? in Nigeria do they value life? its a free world if u feel like not holding American passport so be it. Nigeria is in a state of stagnation where nothing works and wt diverse problem we are to cope wt so its a free world

What do we get for free in America?

Unfelt:
lagos : LagosNIV@state.gov
Abuja: ConsularAbuja@state.gov
i will advice you send the mail to Lagos tho, you will get a prompt reply.

Thanks very much. I appreciate .

MamaOO:

So sorry about her predicament. This kind of situation is not what I would wish on my enemy.

That said, I wasn't here on birth tourism when I had my child. I actually lived and still live in the US. And note where I said that the insurance (mine and my husband) had to pay back the money Medicaid paid the doctors, hospital and for medication. If my insurance had refused the charges (my husband's insurance actually the charges for the air ambulance at first stating that they could have taken my son to San Joaquin Hospital instead of Valley Children's and only paid after the hospital and his pediatrician submitted letters on why they had to take him to VCH), we would have been stuck with the bills and made to pay back every penny.

Now, your friend is on birth tourism, baby has jaundice, probably due to ABO incompatibility (that was what mine had), and is seeking to use Medicaid. That is not fair and very wrong because medicaid was funded through the back of of working, tax paying citizens for other citizens and LPR who cannot afford insurance. The argument of the baby being a USC doesn't hold water. He is a USC but does he earn any money? Pay taxes? Contributed to Medicaid? Do his parents pay taxes? Remember when she got her visa, they asked her if she was financially capable, and she answered in the affirmative. We should always be prepared for cases like this.

Proving she paid her bills and Medicaid paid her son's bill during renewal, im pretty sure is probably gonna anger the VO and earn her a denial. Tell her to talk to the hospital and see if her bills can get discounted and if she can get on a payment plan. Or maybe reach out to charity organizations

Thanks MamaOO for that prompt response. I will relay it to her. maybe she should explore the option of charity organisations. I agree with you that it's unfair to get Medicare when one doesn't pay taxes here. it's like stealing from the system. Reaching out to charity organisations is the way to go. how do you suggest she goes about that.

on a lighter note, if she doesn't get any help, hmm. I have been calculating even the cost of air lifting the child alone you quoted, she will pay bill her whole life time and then transfer the bill to the child who will also transfer to her own child probably up to the 4th generation. The greatgrand child will be paying for the cost of giving birth to greatgrand ma in the US. God help us.

OnJosh1:


Hi urblackpearl, Its me againnnnn I just got a reply saying my case has been updated and the case closed that I should log back into my account to view details.

So I retrieved application using old Application ID, it initially gave an error message tried two more times after which it went through and I viewed the confirmation page but still no passport. Retrieved application with new Application ID and viewed, I can see Passport photo. Please how did you confirm that both applications had been linked? Or your profile updated? Did you have to click "start new application"?

I intend printing and going to the Interview with both old and new Confirmation pages as well as email but will appreciate clarity so I'm not packing unnecessary papers. Thanks again.

Hi. u have to log in to your profile I.e where you booked your appointment to check if the new confirmation number with photo is what is linked.

aremso:


in Nigeria are we getting things for free? in Nigeria do they value life? its a free world if u feel like not holding American passport so be it. Nigeria is in a state of stagnation where nothing works and wt diverse problem we are to cope wt so its a free world

Chai.. The person wey sing.. The land is green.. Run go America go born twins.. Nigeria no get hope.

MamaOO:

What do we get for free in America?

In Nigeria, u pay for what you won't get.. Or u have the cash, no service or product, no apologies.

urblackpearl:


Hi. u have to log in to your profile I.e where you booked your appointment to check if the new confirmation number with photo is what is linked.

Good morning urblackpearl,

I logged in but still saw the old confirmation number and so I clicked update profile and changed to the new confirmation number and saved. Then it updated on the Appointment Confirmation page. I'll print it and take both Appointment Confirmation pages with me to the Interview. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for all your help. Take care and GOD Bless you and yours.

goobyparks:
Sharing time! �
So, on 6th Oct i boarded BA. The 6hrs Flight was ok bt d food wasn't, I got d opportunity to watch 'the wedding party' �  1st stop - Heathrow London; was there for abt 5hrs, slept all through, airport Wi-Fi wasn't working �, was hungry bt cldnt buy food coz I didn't  want to get my balance in £ and then start exchanging back to $ �. 2nd leg: London to Chicago abt 7hrs; older plane tho nt so bad, food nt so fantastic. Arrived CBP desk;
Cbp: hi
Me: hi, good evening
Cbp: what are you here for?
Me: vacation and to have my baby
Cbp: are u here alone?
Me: yes
Cbp: *types on his system* then gives my passport to another officer and asks me to follow him. I was taken to an office with many other travellers sitting and waiting..
After abt 4hrs, I was called and the bashing started  � can't even remember all of it.
Cbp: what are you here for?
Me: vacation and to have my baby
Cbp: when? (Due date)
Me: told her
Cbp: but that wasn't the reason your visa was issued (family vacation)
Me: trying to explain
Cbp: don't even try to lie to me, so you knew you wanted to have your baby here and you went ahead to lie to the embassy. I've met your type before. U didn't have the balls to state your reason so you just went the easy way. U are a pathetic liar (she actually said sth worse bt I can't even remember right nw).
Me: tried explaining again
Cbp: are u talking over me?
Me: i'm sorry
Cbp: just shut up. where did you say you were going during ur interview
Me: Florida, for a family vacation
Cbp: so who advised you to lie so that you can come into the U.S. and do wat u really wanted to do.
Me: a friend told us about her experience (giving birth in the U.S) and how it is legal and a good thing to do for your child. (Truthfully, We heard from few family and friends how it is nt really a big deal once u can afford it bt nobody told us abt medical visa cause all 3 of them we knw used b1/b2. They just said I shldnt disclose that I was preg both to VO and Cbp. This was all before I stumbled on NL while I was searching for hospitals and I saw all these info that nobody tld me abt. I just decided in my mind to say the truth at POE, take all necessary paperwork and pray that I wnt b sent back)
Cbp: Lemme see your documents.
Me: hands over
Cbp: is this ur 1st child?
Me: no, 2nd
Cbp: *looking thru d docs* see? Did u even see dis? U such a disgusting liar. U started contacting Drs & hospitals right after your visa. *reads the email from hosp* So VD is 20,000 bt with community discount they are bringing it down to 4200/5000. *jokes to her colleague* do u knw u can have ur child for jst $5000? I've seen so many like these *shakes her head*
When is your husband coming?
Me: by d end of November after I've had my baby.
Cbp: when?
Me: 28th Nov
Cbp: bt he hasn't got a ticket yet
Me: no he hasn't
Cbp: I thought so.
(I was smiling thru the whole interrogation) ... and why are you smiling to me face and lying like i'm saying sth funny.
Me: i'm sorry, just that I smile a lot
Cbp: it's just a defense mechanism (truth! If I wasn't smiling I wld'v prob be crying).
where will u be staying?
Me: told her the address @ Virginia. I'll be staying with my cousin.
Cbp: is she a citizen
Me: no, she's a green card holder
Cbp: how did she get it?
Me: I really don't know
Cbp: Give me your wallet, money and phone *I gave her*
Where did you get this money from?
Me: I got some from the bank and some from the black market.
Cbp: black market?
Me: bureau d change.  Where I exchanged naira for dollars
Cbp: i mean who did you borrow the money from?
Me: *confused* my husband is my sponsor and he's a business man, he gave me the money
Cbp: *sarcastic* 'everybody is a business man.
*counts the money ($9100), searches my purse, gives me a leaflet that explains why my phone will be searched and asked me to unlock it* 
Cbp: *checking my whatsapp chat* who is (calls name) is she the cousin? And u sent her "we just landed in Chicago" who is "we"
Me: yes that's my cousin. By "we" i mean the plane and it's occupants.  Drop your return ticket and go back to ur seat. I'll call u when I'm done.
(All these lasted for abt 25mins)
After abt 10mins, she comes out:
Cbp:*hands over my passport, ticket, docs and  phone*. You are very lucky, your records and answers are straight. Left to me I wld' ve jst cancelled your visa.
Me: Thanks. *checked my passport to see that I was stamped for 3months* *checked my phone and saw she went through my old chats with hubby*
I thanked God and made my way to baggage claim.
Of course i' d already missed my connecting flight with American airlines. So I went to their desk and complained. Unfortunately, they don't have another same day flight so I was given a boarding pass for another flight the next day @ noon. Unfortunately, they can't help with accomodation or meal voucher (so OYO was my case). She advised I either call a number to speak with a couple of hotels around or if i didnt want to leave the airport, I could go to terminal 2 and ask for a cart (or whatever it's really called) to spend d night.
Na so I waka round Chicago airport neither finding a cart nor able to call the number. Was even directed to bus/shuttle centre to make enquiries abt hotels bt I got lost on the way ���. Myself jst tire me! I was hungry, extremely exhausted from pushing my heavy bags, confused beyond comprehension and I just wanted to sit in the middle of the airport and cry  ��! I finally located the cart area only for them to say I can't pass through that particular security with my bags. Was asked to go back to the airline and check-in my bags. I dragged myself and my bags there only for d lovely lady to say that they don't keep bags overnight  except I can come back @ 3am dat' s when they start Check in for d day. (Time was past 9pm, 2hrs after I'd left CBP). Now I understand the meaning of "ur village ppl are doing u" �����
I kuku asked "pls where can I get food"? *she directs me*
I went to Starbucks and got sandwich & juice. D chic was busy complaining that she didn't have change for $100. (Hmmm... if only she knew my story). All these while, nobody @ home knws what's up with me, no free airport Wi-Fi. I havnt even called my host. Needed coins to use d payphone so I went to ask the Starbucks chic to help me change $20. She said it's too much she can't, I explained I needed to make a call, nobody knws where I am. I decided to buy more juice jst 4 d change, she saw I was serious and asked me to return the juice and gave me some change wc included $4 coins. I was able to call my cousin, said they waited 4 me @ d airport and thought I was sent back. I spent d remaining $3 trying to contact hubby, no way. Wo! I jst told my cousin to send d msg across to them. Found me a chair and jst decided to spend d night there using my bag as pillow to avoid story dat touch (thiefry �)
Checked in next day, arrived Norfolk VA @ 3pm. Exhausted much!

Thank you Jesus!

I was about to say that's serious, why on earth will they leave a pregnant woman for about 4 hours Something has to be done about that.

But Then I kept reading and I was like oooh! I see..

Thank you for sharing,we also learnt from this.
And in as much as you faced difficulties, I believe God still favoured you!

Thank you Jesus indeed!

Wish you a safe delivery.

elfmann:

In Nigeria, u pay for what you won't get.. Or u have the cash, no service or product, no apologies.

I am a pregnant woman who has been unable to sit well or walk simply cos a nurse decided to give me oily paracetamol without dilution. The pain was not from here, the abcess was a big as my palm i went back and was given another injection but for where! Almost 2weeks now and the abcess has turned to boil with lots pf pus. All i have gotten is sorry ma, the doctor (tho a friend) sent me a text of antibiotics. I almost replied "it looks like you want to be a little unfortunate abi" everyday i get a sorry about it text

If i had no amerixan plans before, now i dey go. Naija is apology

urblackpearl:
Hello House.

Arrived L.A. yesterday 11th October via Turkish. Airline service is just there jare. I paid for a lounge to chill for my 7hr+ layover. requested for wheelchair at the Turkish airline care point.

So after landing,got wheeled to a stern looking (so i thought) white haired male CBP. Transcript below:

Cbp: (smiling widely, reaching for my passport) you've been here before?
Me: No, first time
Cbp: wow, welcome to America. How long are you here for?
Me: 3 months
Cbp: u gonna be staying at this address the whole time (referring to my declaration form)
Me: Yep
CBP: u gonna be with family or friends?
Me: Family
Cbp: oh great. I see you got food. what kinda food do u have.
Me: Dried fish, ogbono, ground crayfish/pepper, yam...continues listing
Cbp: cuts in....so just all kinds of dried fish right?
Me: errrm ....sort of
Cbp: (scans my fingers and stamps me in for 6 months) enjoy ur stay!
Me: is that all? u didnt ask what im here for. I'm having my baby
Cbp: (shrugs and smiles) well that's okay as long as you informed the embassy. Congratulations!

Just like that! spent just abt 2 mins! We applied for B1/B2 and told the VO we were going for childbirth. Hubby will join me later.

So got wheeled to baggage claim. the guy loaded my bags and a cop brought a dog up to me to sniff me and my bags. the dog kept sniffing my bags but did not bark, the cop even had to pull the dog away saying let's go! Alakoba dog, dunno what he was sniffing!

So, got wheeled out to meet my uber. spent max of 10mins at the LAX airport in total. it was a breeze!

I had all d docs in the world plus cash and nothing was asked for.

So grateful to God!

Please i want some details about turkish airline, will appreciate if i can send you a pm

[quote author=Unfelt post=61348628]i dont think this matters....

[/quote

Thank you so much

Msadesina:


I am a pregnant woman who has been unable to sit well or walk simply cos a nurse decided to give me oily paracetamol without dilution. The pain was not from here, the abcess was a big as my palm i went back and was given another injection but for where! Almost 2weeks now and the abcess has turned to boil with lots pf pus. All i have gotten is sorry ma, the doctor (tho a friend) sent me a text of antibiotics. I almost replied "it looks like you want to be a little unfortunate abi" everyday i get a sorry about it text

If i had no amerixan plans before, now i dey go. Naija is apology

Pele.. Nija don cast since nineteen gbiri gidim. Even doctors dey run go America because of better health care.
Cc firstymum

Msadesina:


Please i want some details about turkish airline, will appreciate if i can send you a pm

Don't understand the Pm thing. u can email getade3@gmail.com

goobyparks:
Sharing time! �
So, on 6th Oct i boarded BA. The 6hrs Flight was ok bt d food wasn't, I got d opportunity to watch 'the wedding party' �  1st stop - Heathrow London; was there for abt 5hrs, slept all through, airport Wi-Fi wasn't working �, was hungry bt cldnt buy food coz I didn't  want to get my balance in £ and then start exchanging back to $ �. 2nd leg: London to Chicago abt 7hrs; older plane tho nt so bad, food nt so fantastic. Arrived CBP desk;
Cbp: hi
Me: hi, good evening
Cbp: what are you here for?
Me: vacation and to have my baby
Cbp: are u here alone?
Me: yes
Cbp: *types on his system* then gives my passport to another officer and asks me to follow him. I was taken to an office with many other travellers sitting and waiting..
After abt 4hrs, I was called and the bashing started  � can't even remember all of it.
Cbp: what are you here for?
Me: vacation and to have my baby
Cbp: when? (Due date)
Me: told her
Cbp: but that wasn't the reason your visa was issued (family vacation)
Me: trying to explain
Cbp: don't even try to lie to me, so you knew you wanted to have your baby here and you went ahead to lie to the embassy. I've met your type before. U didn't have the balls to state your reason so you just went the easy way. U are a pathetic liar (she actually said sth worse bt I can't even remember right nw).
Me: tried explaining again
Cbp: are u talking over me?
Me: i'm sorry
Cbp: just shut up. where did you say you were going during ur interview
Me: Florida, for a family vacation
Cbp: so who advised you to lie so that you can come into the U.S. and do wat u really wanted to do.
Me: a friend told us about her experience (giving birth in the U.S) and how it is legal and a good thing to do for your child. (Truthfully, We heard from few family and friends how it is nt really a big deal once u can afford it bt nobody told us abt medical visa cause all 3 of them we knw used b1/b2. They just said I shldnt disclose that I was preg both to VO and Cbp. This was all before I stumbled on NL while I was searching for hospitals and I saw all these info that nobody tld me abt. I just decided in my mind to say the truth at POE, take all necessary paperwork and pray that I wnt b sent back)
Cbp: Lemme see your documents.
Me: hands over
Cbp: is this ur 1st child?
Me: no, 2nd
Cbp: *looking thru d docs* see? Did u even see dis? U such a disgusting liar. U started contacting Drs & hospitals right after your visa. *reads the email from hosp* So VD is 20,000 bt with community discount they are bringing it down to 4200/5000. *jokes to her colleague* do u knw u can have ur child for jst $5000? I've seen so many like these *shakes her head*
When is your husband coming?
Me: by d end of November after I've had my baby.
Cbp: when?
Me: 28th Nov
Cbp: bt he hasn't got a ticket yet
Me: no he hasn't
Cbp: I thought so.
(I was smiling thru the whole interrogation) ... and why are you smiling to me face and lying like i'm saying sth funny.
Me: i'm sorry, just that I smile a lot
Cbp: it's just a defense mechanism (truth! If I wasn't smiling I wld'v prob be crying).
where will u be staying?
Me: told her the address @ Virginia. I'll be staying with my cousin.
Cbp: is she a citizen
Me: no, she's a green card holder
Cbp: how did she get it?
Me: I really don't know
Cbp: Give me your wallet, money and phone *I gave her*
Where did you get this money from?
Me: I got some from the bank and some from the black market.
Cbp: black market?
Me: bureau d change.  Where I exchanged naira for dollars
Cbp: i mean who did you borrow the money from?
Me: *confused* my husband is my sponsor and he's a business man, he gave me the money
Cbp: *sarcastic* 'everybody is a business man.
*counts the money ($9100), searches my purse, gives me a leaflet that explains why my phone will be searched and asked me to unlock it* 
Cbp: *checking my whatsapp chat* who is (calls name) is she the cousin? And u sent her "we just landed in Chicago" who is "we"
Me: yes that's my cousin. By "we" i mean the plane and it's occupants.  Drop your return ticket and go back to ur seat. I'll call u when I'm done.
(All these lasted for abt 25mins)
After abt 10mins, she comes out:
Cbp:*hands over my passport, ticket, docs and  phone*. You are very lucky, your records and answers are straight. Left to me I wld' ve jst cancelled your visa.
Me: Thanks. *checked my passport to see that I was stamped for 3months* *checked my phone and saw she went through my old chats with hubby*
I thanked God and made my way to baggage claim.
Of course i' d already missed my connecting flight with American airlines. So I went to their desk and complained. Unfortunately, they don't have another same day flight so I was given a boarding pass for another flight the next day @ noon. Unfortunately, they can't help with accomodation or meal voucher (so OYO was my case). She advised I either call a number to speak with a couple of hotels around or if i didnt want to leave the airport, I could go to terminal 2 and ask for a cart (or whatever it's really called) to spend d night.
Na so I waka round Chicago airport neither finding a cart nor able to call the number. Was even directed to bus/shuttle centre to make enquiries abt hotels bt I got lost on the way ���. Myself jst tire me! I was hungry, extremely exhausted from pushing my heavy bags, confused beyond comprehension and I just wanted to sit in the middle of the airport and cry  ��! I finally located the cart area only for them to say I can't pass through that particular security with my bags. Was asked to go back to the airline and check-in my bags. I dragged myself and my bags there only for d lovely lady to say that they don't keep bags overnight  except I can come back @ 3am dat' s when they start Check in for d day. (Time was past 9pm, 2hrs after I'd left CBP). Now I understand the meaning of "ur village ppl are doing u" �����
I kuku asked "pls where can I get food"? *she directs me*
I went to Starbucks and got sandwich & juice. D chic was busy complaining that she didn't have change for $100. (Hmmm... if only she knew my story). All these while, nobody @ home knws what's up with me, no free airport Wi-Fi. I havnt even called my host. Needed coins to use d payphone so I went to ask the Starbucks chic to help me change $20. She said it's too much she can't, I explained I needed to make a call, nobody knws where I am. I decided to buy more juice jst 4 d change, she saw I was serious and asked me to return the juice and gave me some change wc included $4 coins. I was able to call my cousin, said they waited 4 me @ d airport and thought I was sent back. I spent d remaining $3 trying to contact hubby, no way. Wo! I jst told my cousin to send d msg across to them. Found me a chair and jst decided to spend d night there using my bag as pillow to avoid story dat touch (thiefry �)
Checked in next day, arrived Norfolk VA @ 3pm. Exhausted much!

Thank you Jesus!

Honestly, u be superwoman ooo. if na me, i go for don dey cry. i hate insult in my life....chai. But honestly, u tried for even smiling. Kudos to u and all d best and safe delivery too.

goobyparks:
I want to start preparing myself for my return trip. I'll most probably have excess luggage. My flight is with BA bt from Chicago to Virginia, they used America airlines. For my return, Virginia to JFK is American airlines then d rest of the journey (JFK - Heathrow - Lagos) is BA.
My ques is :wen paying for my excess luggage will I pay to American airlines also?

if you bought ticket from BA then contact them because they are the main airline.

@goobyparks,God was really at work,I can’t even imagine wat i would av done if I was in dat situation.
Wishing u safe delivery.
Pls,can I PM or mail u,would like to get some informations regarding the hospital and Doctor u wanna use in virginia.
Thanks

Maggiespecial:


Honestly, u be superwoman ooo. if na me, i go for don dey cry. i hate insult in my life....chai. But honestly, u tried for even smiling. Kudos to u and all d best and safe delivery too.

If knew u did not tell the truth to get your visa and they catch you, you for de more humble than she....


She has shared this to show the importance of telling the truth & being free as against telling lies,getting the visa & getting caught.


If someone tells us jump inside hot boiling water or fire, we probably would not.

If they say, you have to lie at the embassy to get a visa, why listen to such advice...
If she had later joined Nairaland, she would have update her information at the embassy in Nigeria that she wants to deliver....

People are not reading the stories properly & are just concluding that she was harassed.
Do you know what Nigerian Police or immigrations or army do to people with much more smaller offences??

Abeg na God save her...let's just hope for a safe delivery for her and that it does not affect her reapplication when the visa expires.

[quote author=Ayotundesh post=61383389]




If knew u did not tell the truth to get your visa and they catch y

Please dont act so holy. That you are opportuned to know that birth tourism in the US is legal and you can boldly state it at your interview as long as you prove you can pay your bills is not grounds to act so holy. I for one when I wanted to come have my first child here was advised not to tell I was going to have my child rather I should say I am going for vacation. I was just not comfortable lying. I told myself why should i lie about my intentions and if there is a provision for medical purpose then people get such visas. Don't forget that there is a myth about US visas, that they don't like giving people visas talk more when you state your intentions about having a child. I had people tell me to pray that the person who interviews me isn't a Republican because they don't even want you having your child in their country. I had my first, and second child and not until my third journey that someone introduced me to nairaland. The fact is we know Nigerians are brash but we expect a civil treatment from the so called civilised country we all running to align with. I mean calling someone a liar, and other defamatory names is wrong no matter the offence. After all, it is in America you will see a criminal being treated with caution. We are Nigerians nah and so we can be treated with disdain and no one will speak for us. Government will treat us badly, then we can not come and get some empathy from nairaland family. Pleeeeeaaase!

favouredmum:
Good morning House,

Any October/November mum in the house looking at Houston, Chicago and Kansas can pls reach out to me.

Had my first child in 2015 and used OBMC and Dr. E.

Looking to explore a different state this time around but then again accommodation is another issue here.

Pls I sent u pm. I need a Dr in chicago for a friend. Thanks

urblackpearl:


Don't understand the Pm thing. u can email getade3@gmail.com

Okay mail has been sent. Thanks

Senatornuella:




If knew u did not tell the truth to get your visa and they catch y

Please dont act so holy. That you are opportuned to know that birth tourism in the US is legal and you can boldly state it at your interview as long as you prove you can pay your bills is not grounds to act so holy. I for one when I wanted to come have my first child here was advised not to tell I was going to have my child rather I should say I am going for vacation. I was just not comfortable lying. I told myself why should i lie about my intentions and if there is a provision for medical purpose then people get such visas. Don't forget that there is a myth about US visas, that they don't like giving people visas talk more when you state your intentions about having a child. I had people tell me to pray that the person who interviews me isn't a Republican because they don't even want you having your child in their country. I had my first, and second child and not until my third journey that someone introduced me to nairaland. The fact is we know Nigerians are brash but we expect a civil treatment from the so called civilised country we all running to align with. I mean calling someone a liar, and other defamatory names is wrong no matter the offence. After all, it is in America you will see a criminal being treated with caution. We are Nigerians nah and so we can be treated with disdain and no one will speak for us. Government will treat us badly, then we can not come and get some empathy from nairaland family. Pleeeeeaaase!

I understand where both of you are coming from and there's iota of truth both submissions. But the truth still remains that she lied. I am not saint by any means, I've lied before and will probably still lie in the future, but the thing is... situations like that (lying to Visa Officers) doesn't usually have a good outcome. And to what end sef?

We talk about Nigerians being treated with disdain and caution at POEs and while we huff and puff, we know deep down inside of us that we brought it on ourselves. A co-worker was chatting nonsense about Nigeria the other day, about how everybody was corrupt and scammers. And while I wanted to sucker-punch him, can I blame him? Thats the image we have portrayed about ourselves.

The original OP mentioned that she found out about NL after lying to get her visa, why did she not make research about the Visa before she even went to the embassy? Maybe I am the only one oo. But I seek information like no other. Before I embark on anything, I google and research the hell out of that thing so I am not caught unawares. Take for instance last night, I was researching about elementary and Middle Schools for my son. We have a school we are assigned to but I found out that there's another school rated 9/10 (our district school is 7/10). I searched and searched found out that kids are accepted based on lottery, the lottery time frames and all that. Mind you, the kid I'm doing this for is a 13month old. Kindergarten or Pre-K doesn't even start until 5years old.

CBP is not legally obligated to be polite. It depends on the person, they are doing their jobs within the jurisdiction of the law, haven't you heard that black lives don't matter in the US? You're a white criminal, you get burger king and milkshakes. You are a black criminal, you get beat down, your face plastered on the cement. That's if you're lucky you're not shot. And yeah, she got through CBP, I hope she gets through renewal too.

[quote author=Senatornuella post=61389477][/quote]

Thanks so much, my wife was denied visa for birthing and what they told us was that we should not have told the VO that she wanted to go and give birth but after joining nairaland and gotten more informed, by God grace with more than enough info here, we are going to the embassy togther and we will boldly tell them she wants to go and give birth since we have researched and confirmed it is legal s, we can afford it and with the favour of God, we would be given the visas as Jesus lives. Although, some pple on this forum can make u feel sad that u have committed grievous sins on those things u dont know and ignorant of thank God for some one like Ramj she gave me one of the most encouraging reply and even so short, i was happy unlike others.

Tripletmom:
@goobyparks,God was really at work,I can’t even imagine wat i would av done if I was in dat situation.
Wishing u safe delivery.
Pls,can I PM or mail u,would like to get some informations regarding the hospital and Doctor u wanna use in virginia.
Thanks

goobyparks@yahoo.com