ifybabe4real:
Please i need help. which is the best POE for Chicago? is JFK (New York) ok? is it better to do the connecting flight from naija or when i land? if i travel thru new York is it safe to to return via Chicago. if yes which of the Chicago airport is best safe. please i need urgent response so i can book my ticket asap. thanks mummy's in the house

A number of Chicago-bound mamas have shared their travel stories, so you can read-up to get a sense of their different experiences. I was advised that it was best to travel through the east coast or Atlanta, but ended up flying directly to Chicago O'Hare and I had no problems. I shared my POE experience a while ago, so you can search for it.

All the best.

Hi everyone, I'd like to share my POE journey.

I made my first missionary journey in 2015 to Chicago. That went well. I got my visa before I was pregnant but did not know about sending a change of intent letter then and so did not. However on entry, I disclosed that I was there to have a baby and my entry took less than 3 minutes.

For baby number 2, I applied specifically for the B2 visa, as I was already pregnant at the time of application. I applied via Dropbox and received the visa a week later or so without an interview.

I read through Nairaland page to page and also based on advice received, decided to avoid the Chicago POE by flying Delta. However, as fate would have it, my Delta flight was cancelled and we were eventually placed on KLM so we still ended up flying directly into Chicago from Amsterdam on Sunday, April 9.

At the POE, the officer took our passports (mine, my daughter and mother's). He took our fingerprints and photos before asking for the purpose of our trip.

Me: I'm here to give birth to my baby
CBP: Why?
Me: On the advice of my doctor as I'm over 40.
CBP: How much do you have on you?
I told him. He pressed a button on his desk and a few moments later, another CBP showed up to collect our passport.

Ist CBP: Ma'am, please go with my colleague. We have more questions to ask you.

We were taken to a room on the side, where there were other travelers.

My daughter was so relieved to leave the confines of the plane and made it her duty to parade the entire room and befriend all the other young children there, whether they were interested in playing with her or not....

My mother brought out her phone to start reading bible passages. I told her that she could not use her phone there and she put it away.

After about 25 minutes, I was called into their office. The officer was very friendly and warm.

CBP: why are you here today?
Me: To have a baby
CBP: When are you due?
Told him
CBP: Do you have any documentation to show this
Me: Yes, I do.

I brought out my doctor's report from Lagos.

Me: I have some photocopies in here...
CBP: That's okay. Just bring it all out.

I showed them the report, my fit to fly, invoice from the doctor.

Me: I made a deposit already.
CBP: Oh, I see that you've paid xxxx and you have Bleep left. That's great! Is this your second baby?
Me: Yes
CBP: Okay, so baby number 1 is the one running around outside?
Me: Yes
Brought out my statement from the last baby

CBP: And this is the same doctor you used the last time.

He scrolls through and looks at the bottom of the page
CBP: Ah, zero balance. Great! How much do you have on you?

Told him.
CBP: Since it's over $10,000, you will need to fill out a form. It's fine to bring in more than $10,000 but you just need to declare it.
Me: Okay
CBP: And you have been to the US many times before.....
Me: Yes, I went to school here...
CBP: And you worked here for a few years too.... What do you do now?

I told him.

CBP: Awesome! Sounds great! We are fine with people coming to give birth to their babies in the United States, but we want to make sure that they are able to pay for it. And it looks like you're well prepared.

All this while, he's been typing away.

CBP: Okay, you're all good to go. I had already stamped your mother's passport, so let me go ahead and stamp yours.
Do you know what you're having?

Me: Yes, I do.
I told him.

CBP: Oh that's wonderful. Congratulations. Enjoy your time in the States.

Me: Thank you very much.

I went outside and told my mum that we were good to go.

We were asked to fill out a form for the currency declaration.

The guy said: Don't sorry. I will do all the work. You just sign.

He didn't count the money.

And we were on our way.

The information on Nairaland was invaluable and helped prepare me for this trip, so thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and other information here. Typically, I don't stress about traveling, but with all the stories heard, especially in January and a February of pregnant women being turned back and other travelers with valid travel reasons being turned back or mistreated at the airport, I did start to worry.

However, like others have pointed out, it's crucial to have all your documents together, especially balance from previous deliveries in the US and to be able to demonstrate ability to pay.

Dxbconnection:


Yay! Where in Chicago are you going and have you found a hospital? I will be in Cook County. Also are you due in May or traveling in May?

Hello ladies, another Chicago bound mama here going in April 07.

mrschic:
At secondary inspection, I waited for about 20mins. Note that when we landed ord, it was just my flight that landed and there was no queue. I practically strolled to the CBP official.
I was called to a private interview room and questioned.
My doctor's correspondence was perused. Also my cash at hand was sighted. Other documents looked at were my previous zero bal. My phone was also collected. I noticed the official looking through my mails to confirm the doctor's correspondence and notification of intent sent to the embassy. I was then asked to go back to the waiting room. After about 5mins, the same official called me and handed over my documents and said I was free to go.
Over to baggage collection and agriculture clearance.
I want to say thank you to the nairaland mum who recently posted her ord poe experience cos it encouraged me a lot. Severally, I had tried to change my ticket to enter via JFK but the cost and stress involved disuaded me.
I appreciate everyone for their posts as I did study to show myself approved(lol). Safe trip and delivery to everyone.

Can you share information about which hospital you are using? I am exploring options in Chicago. Thanks in advance.