₦airaland Forum

I think a permanent ban affects your immigrant visa….. anyway, Me I even paid in full( 32k dollars). I informed the embassy before going (through a letter of intent). I declared where I should. I was truthful and honest to the core after all that was my 10th or 11th US visa and that was my second missionary journey. It wasn’t even at the embassy for an interview that day. I just escorted someone lol. I still got a permanent ban saying I used a B1/B2 visa for child birth after 2020 (when it was discontinued) .. therefore I misrepresented myself by doing that (saying my visa is for one thing and using it for another) hence the permanent ban. If it didn’t happen to me, I would have thought the story was a lie
It took sweat,money and time to challenge it. But I did and I’m glad it was taken off. I’m glad I sent the letter of intent too. That was the proof that I didn’t misrepresent anything. Thank God

Taal17:
Typically a ban shouldn't prevent you getting an immigrant visa. Most bans are timed 3,5,10yrs.
A permanent ban is typically for severe violations like crime, fraud misrepresentation.

Why consulates would give permanent bans to those going for childbirth even if they didn't pay in full is way to aggressive.

Payment plan and evidence of sticking to it should be enough or last last 3 yr nam

The aggression that day at the U.S. embassy was so palpable. They refused or banned everyone there , men, women, adults, and even children. It was ridiculous.

I think a major reason they are banning women who had kids in the U.S. is because a ban on your record means you cannot apply for any type of visa, and you certainly cannot apply for an immigrant visa (a green card or otherwise).

Don’t forget that as the parent of a U.S. citizen, it is only a matter of time …once your child turns 18 and has paid taxes for at least three years (making them 21) , before your child can file for a green card for you.

However, this becomes almost impossible if you have a permanent ban on your record.

Debbieeeeeee:
This is precisely the point. She paid in full, did not take taxpayer-funded assistance, provided evidence, and still ended up banned until she challenged it, then clearly this is not just about defaulters or abuse of benefits. People need to stop oversimplifying a pattern they have not personally experienced.

So people who have given birth in the U.S. in the past are getting banned a lot? I didn’t know o. Hope they have intent letter to the embassy. I think if you have ever gone on child birth journey to the U.S., just stay away from the U.S. entirely this period. They can bring up anything and reversing these things are not easy at all

flourishing247:
Thats it. Doing the right thing always pays years to come. My friends got banned too. I warned them but they kept arguing with me. Ine was even deported. I'm happy everything worked put for you. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Not in all cases ma’m. In my case , I paid my bills in full. If you track back here you will see where I asked on this platform back then that I was offered a form of financial assistance(a type that the hospital assured me was ok for my status). People here adviced me not to take it and I did not take it. Because any money taken in the U.S. is tax payers money. Part of the documents I attached to the embassy to challenge this ban , was evidence of full payment for both missionary journeys I had done in the past. I didn’t even go to a cheap state or cheap place. I paid 32k dollars in full!!! I say “not cheap “ because The state I went doesn’t even give the usual self-pay discount. I’m glad I didn’t use tax Payers money otherwise this ban would not have been removed .

I hope my post will really help people be truthful in immigration processes.

flourishing247:
Did they pay the full amount? I think the major issue we have are the people that used the benefits they weren't supposed to use. It was the norm for years until the clampdown. Just like the overstay issues.

It was horrible, especially since I did everything honestly and openly. I declared everything I was supposed to. If the embassy had said I shouldn’t go back then, I would have gone to another country with good healthcare, such as Canada.

If they are truly targeting Nigerians, then that’s very sad ….especially because, unlike some of our international counterparts who leave their hospital bills unpaid, we Nigerians pay our bills. I paid about $32,000 on that particular missionary journey due to the complications I had. I remember telling my friend back then to also send an email to the embassy declaring her intent and she was hesitant. Imagine if I hadn’t informed the embassy there would have been no way for me to sort this out.

Some might say , “and so what if I get a permanent ban, it by force to go to the U.S.?” But a ban affects you for life, as you would always have to declare it when applying for visas to other countries. It’s a question on almost every country’s visa application form.

Debbieeeeeee:
Kemo88, I am very sorry for the entire situation you endured, especially since you didn't expect to face such an experience. If prejudice hadn't been a factor, why would she insist on interviewing you when your visit to the embassy was only as an escort, not for an interview? Still, I’m relieved that the ban on your record has finally been lifted and your persistence helped out big time. I feel upset about this witch hunt targeting Nigerians who have had babies in the USA. I’ve spoken with women of other nationalities who also had their babies in the US, and they aren’t facing such harsh scrutiny. It’s heartbreaking that things have come to this. Nigeria’s struggling economy seems to have only made it easier for these injustices to occur. Holding a Nigerian passport in this day and age almost feels like a death sentence.

Good day everyone,

I’m here to share my story. I’m grateful that it ended in praise. Let me start by saying that I’m glad I joined this group almost 10 years ago. Back then, everyone here always advised dealing with immigration honestly, and that really helped in my case.

Secondly, if you have given birth in the U.S. before and you don’t have any urgent business there, try to stay away from the U.S. entirely , embassy or otherwise till this era is over. Also, if you know you might flout immigration rules or may not be able to properly inform the embassy of your plans, it may be better to consider another country to give birth to your child.

Here’s my story.

Last year, my mum applied for a visa via Dropbox (she has had several U.S. visas before). She was later called for an interview. My mum is very elderly and has started to forget things lately, so I accompanied her to the embassy. I did not apply for a visa; I simply went with her.

When we got there, the consular officer decided to interview me instead. I respectfully declined to be interviewed, but she refused. I considered walking out, but she already had both my passport and my mum’s passport with her. (I had to bring my passport in order to enter the embassy with my mum.) She told me it was too late to decline the interview.

Anyway, I decided to respond to her questions because I didn’t know what she might put on my record if I refused. She asked if I had any of my children in the U.S. I had no reason to lie, so I said yes. She asked when, and I said 2021. She then said that according to the rules, after 2020 you cannot give birth in the U.S. on a visitor (B1/B2) visa.

I explained that I had sent a letter of intent to the embassy at the time and that they informed me it was okay to proceed because I had medical complications. I had previously lost a pregnancy and was on the verge of losing the one I was carrying.

She said I was lying. She then pulled out a white paper (I used to think white paper was a good sign at the U.S. embassy until that day) and issued me a permanent ban from entering the U.S. I was shocked. It felt like a civilian being hit by a military-grade stray bullet. It wasn’t even my interview ,how on earth did I end up with a ban?

I tried to explain that she should allow me to retrieve evidence of the letter of intent I had sent to the embassy, but she refused. So I simply asked, “Is that all?” and walked away. The entire situation felt very strange.

When I got home, I decided to get a lawyer. I explained everything, and we began the process. We gathered all the documents and even swore an affidavit. The lawyer sent the documents to the embassy via mail and email. We CC’d every U.S. embassy email address in Nigeria and even some outside Nigeria.

They didn’t respond for almost two months. We sent a reminder still no response. So I started sending reminders every other week. At that point, the worst had already happened, so I felt I had nothing to lose.

About three months later, we finally received a response saying they couldn’t do anything because the consular officer had added a “no waiver” clause to my ban. I still didn’t give up.

I composed another email explaining everything that happened that day, attached all the documents from my lawyer again, and sent it.

A month later, they responded saying I should apply for a visa, pay the fee, schedule an appointment, and come to the embassy. They said whichever consular officer I met would determine whether I could receive a waiver.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to go through that process, especially given the uncertainty of the outcome in this era we are in. I had already lost hope, so I stopped emailing them.

About five months later, while I was praying, I felt strongly that I should send another email. In that email, I asked them to please investigate the matter again. I explained once more that I had informed the embassy of my intention to give birth in the U.S. because of my medical complications.

I also told them I had a clean immigration record. I had previously held over 10 U.S. visas. I had studied in the U.S., and I even once had a work permit that I never used because I wanted to return to my own country. I also mentioned that I had several UK and Canadian visas, as well as visas from other countries.

I explained how the ban had affected my career because many of my professional trainings require international travel, and I would have to declare the ban when applying for visas. I told them that my goal was not necessarily to obtain a U.S. visa , i simply wanted the ban removed so I could move forward with my life and career.

A few days later, I received an email saying that the ban had been removed from my record. They explained that the reason they reversed the decision was because they found evidence that I had indeed sent a letter of intent to the embassy. However, the embassy had provided me with incorrect information at the time. They said I should have been told that giving birth in the U.S. on a B1/B2 visa was not permitted. Because of this, they decided to remove the ban.

I was completely shocked.

I’m grateful that I listened to the people on this platform years ago who insisted that I send a letter of intent to the embassy. That single step ended up saving my case.

I don’t know how this story might help someone else, but this was my experience.

Hello everyone ,
Had my baby in Maryland and the hospital bills alone were over 21k, I felt like I was being over charged compared to the estimate I was given. I started off in labor and by the next day I went in for CS… I stayed for 72hrs. Then I came back after two days on account of high BP and was observed for two days. I have been asked to write a letter saying the bills are more than expected and request that some bills be knocked off. I was also asked to fill a form. But when I looked at the form all I was seeing is financial assistance. When I called them, the man was saying it’s an in-house hospital thing to knock bills off. That it’s not financial assistance. I hope this wouldn’t affect my visa application in the future. I don’t want to have any issues … I don’t know what to do. Should I apply? Please I need advice. I just feel my bills are not fair enough compared to the estimate I was given. but he said the bills have been reviewed and the only way to knock off is it write a letter saying it’s over the estimate. But the form is titled financial assistance. Advice please ?

Creativebelle:
Hello Everyone,

Pls does a US citizen (minor) need a Nigerian Passport to travel out of Nigeria?

Trying to avoid immigration delays...not sure what's required..

Thank you

I took my child without naija passport sha. When we were on the line at TSA , one immigration officer was like where is the naija passport? I said it’s not ready yet ….. as he started slight story My mum sharply gave him 3k and left there cos we were late for our flight. He was just laughing saying “madam you too sabi”
I think it should be ok

Myfavour22:
1 Yes you can, just make sure you don’t have any layover in Europe as the plane will not board you since your baby doesn’t have a schenghen visa.
This happened to me personally and I was denied boarding, they had to move me to the next day, direct flight from US to Lagos without any layover. Had to find my way to Abj when I got to lag.

3 I think ours took about 2 to 3 weeks, we used the embassy in Atlanta and also used the expedited process. I think it was longer because we forgot to add a return envelope

Thank you for your response

Hi everyone ,

Please I want to ask can my husband go get the notary for the consent form in Cotonuo Benin Republic. Since it’s the same Ecowas passport. We saw an appointment for this coming week. Please advice me. Thanks

Hi everyone
1) please can I my baby travel with ETC alone without the American passport ?

2) Those who travelled without american passport during COVID how did they do it please ?

3) How long does ETC take?

4) I’m planning to apply for my baby’s first American passport in Nigeria. Since I don’t have a date for notary for my husband and I cannot stay in the US forever.
Any advice please

P.S: I already applied at the passport agency but they said they cannot move on without the notary from the US embassy in Nigeria. They turned down the one from the high court in Nigeria

Piepiehoney:
Keep checking for a date cos, my husband got an appointment date last month and he went to the US embassy on Wednesday which was the appointment day. I wanted a closer date but Oct 12 was the earliest date. I am expecting the document on Monday since he sent it same day through DHL.
Good luck.

Thank you for your response
Did you have an appointment for the US passport already? Was it at Washington DC?
Some states accept any Notary from naija. When I had my first child in the US , the state I was accepted the notary from high court in Nigeria

Hi everyone,
Please who has ever used US passport agency in DC ? Do they accept any kind of notary for consent DS3053 form? My husband did the notary at the high court in Nigeria but I hear we have to go to US embassy in Nigeria to get a notary….. however We can’t seem to get any appointment at the US embassy in Nigeria. None at all this year or next year been checking every 30mins for over a week now.
Please any advice ? I feel stuck cos my little one’s US passport appointment is very soon and my travel is in 2 weeks

Sonia77B:
Good tips. I have question as regards to POE. Is change of intent letter mandatory to be sent? Or B1/B2 is no longer accepted for birthing purposes at POE.

I got my visa last year first quarter of last year. Got pregnant this year. So I had to inform the embassy. Hold all the documents you can and be prepared. I was ready to declare especially cos I had come previous complications. But I wasn’t asked anything close to “why are you here or what’s the purpose of your visit”
If you look at my POE questions you will see there was no chance to squeeze it in there.

Hi everyone,
Please what’s the latest on visa on arrival into Nigeria for the baby. I’m planning visa on arrival please.

Good day everyone,

Please can anyone give out advice on using emergency appointment for a conference ? A friend of mine paid 600 dollars for a conference in the US and it’s in mid October. He’s been looking for an appointment for months now but didn’t find…..
Also I think his place of work (state government) may be sponsoring him. Is it wise to use an emergency appointment… does he fall under emergency appointment category and do you think it may affect his chances of getting the visa ?
Any advice please.

MY POE STORY

Left naija through Qatar last week, my POE was Washington Dulles. Qatar at the Nigerian airport sent me to the port health downstairs MMIA despite having my fit to fly from their website and having all documents and letters from the doctors.
When I got to port health, the two so called “midwives” were rude and wicked. They kept saying I wasn’t 30 weeks despite my scan saying I was 31weeks plus or minus 2 weeks. Showed them 5 different scans all through my pregnancy and argued that how can the scans life. They asked for my LMP I told them and they counted it on the calendar got 30weeks and still said I’m lying. They said I’m over 36, They said “madam, keep arguing and see if you would travel tonight”.
They threatened that they would write something that wouldn’t make Qatar take me on that flight. I guess hubby knew were they were going and told me to be quiet, he told them that we could sort this out amicably, I was upset and went outside. Hubby then gave them money, they collected about 15k naira …. They even told us not to go and pay the 5k that was meant to be paid in the bank, they asked us to give it to them. I was very upset.
Anyway, asides all of that , the Trip was nice….. couldn’t upgrade like I wanted to cos the flight was full but I slept almost through out ….. I was so tired from days and days of going to bank headquarters on the island to chase my PTA.

At the point of entry? I joined the citizen line as I was traveling with my 6years old who is a US citizen. I had all my documents with me; change of intent letter from the embassy(cos I got my visa March 2021) , letter from my doctor in the US, estimated bills and so on. I didn’t hide my pregnancy cos I wore a fitted top on leggings.
The CBP officer we were going to had sent two people for secondary inspection right in front of us and I wondered why. So when it was our turn…..

CBP: Hi, how are you?
Me: I’m good, thanks for asking , how about yourself?
CBP: im good ….
Handed him all passports with the US passport on top of our own naija one
CBP: so where are you traveling from?
Me: Nigeria
CBP: how long will you be staying ?
Me: 10weeks
CBP: and who are these ?
Me: my mum and my daughter
CBP: do you have cash ? How much do you have ?
Me: I have 9k dollars but my mum has 1k… the rest are in my dollar master card
CBP: any Nigerian money
Me: yes about 8 thousand naira which comes to about 22 dollars
CBP: any good stuff ?
Me: some cereal (Ogi) and some soup.

CBP: face masks down please…… welcome to the United States
*stamps us in till January*

After he was done , I was going to tell him I’m here to have a baby blah blah blah …. but my mum was like (in our native language) “keep moving, he didn’t ask you why you are here , he saw your belly and didn’t ask you , keep moving “ lol
If I was asked I would have declared cos I was “document ready”. I declared during my first pregnancy
so I have no problem declaring.

I wasn’t sent to agriculture so all my edikaikong, Ogbona and other soup made it safe. Lol. Been eating correct soup with poundo yam since I got in. Thank God for His mercies. Wishing everyone the very best with their POE experience .

TWoods:
Doubtful that you will find a hospital willing to accept wire transfer, considering most people here either pay online or by check. Once they've also told you what they will accept, you dont have much choice left. Your only option is to wire money to someone in the US and have them pay on your behalf, online is easier.

Thank you for your response, I was hoping to get it at bank rate if I wire directly to the hospital but as it is , I had to resort to black market to get the dollars in the end. Got some PTA for myself though but couldn’t get for my mum.

UmmZayd:
You have to get someone in the US that will help you

How please ? The problem is hospital saying they don’t give out their bank details for direct deposit or money order… without the bank details the Nigerian bank cannot process form A medical. So I don’t know what to do

Good day house,

Please does anyone know if hospitals in the US accept wiring of money directly from Nigeria. Wanted to send money using form A, medical at bank rate, only for The hospital in the US to tell me they don’t accept wiring / direct deposit as a mode of payment and I can only pay through money order, cards, Cheque or online payment. Any help please? Anyone know anything About this or how to go about it? Thanks

Zoe2019:
Hello everyone,please I need urgent help,can anyone please help with a good doctor’s contact and hospital in Huston or Maryland I have been on this close a month but am yet to get anyone and my due date is getting close I will really appreciate any help from you guys God bless you all

Maryland is quite pricey but you have options like Ann arundel, university of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Medstar Franklin center, Mercy medical etc depending on your budget. I’d say if you have an option choose Houston , it’s quite affordable and a lot of people on here have used Houston … so finding a hospital and doctor in Houston willing to accept you ,may be much faster.

Thank you for your response. It’s Maryland, hospitals are expensive and they only give 1% discount.
It’s where I have family……
I want to believe those services are separate from
Nursery but not sure. Cos during my first delivery , I was asked if I wanted my baby to be taken to a particular room where they keep babies so I can rest. But I said no cos my mum was with me and was looking after the baby while I slept. That being said I don’t know if that room they were referring to was nursery or if it was something else.

Arrived1st:
When I had my children, it wasn't optional...my children stayed in my room too however they were taken out of my room to be cleaned up, immunized, for ear hearing tests etc I believe All that was done in the nursery and if someone had to stay back in the hospital past the 2-4 days necessary, additional nursery fees are paid.

For the hospitals I used, the nursery costs were about $600 per day, $1500 is quite high in my opinion...perhaps it will be discounted if you pay in Full ahead of delivery.

This is different from NICU costs for babies needing additional care at the Neonatal intensive care unit.



quote author=Kemo88 post=113657854]Good day everyone.

Please I have a quick question. Most hospitals quote nursery fees as part of their price estimate… what does this mean? Is it compulsory to use the nursery? When I had my first baby, she was in the same room with me.
Is nursery a place where they take the baby or is it a service? Most importantly can I decide not to use nursery even if I have CS done ?
Please I really need to know cos Some are quoting 1500 per day for nursery, that’s like 3000 for two days. Honestly, not using it will go a long way in saving cost Abeg.

Thanks

Good day everyone.

Please I have a quick question. Most hospitals quote nursery fees as part of their price estimate… what does this mean? Is it compulsory to use the nursery? When I had my first baby, she was in the same room with me.
Is nursery a place where they take the baby or is it a service? Most importantly can I decide not to use nursery even if I have CS done ?
Please I really need to know cos Some are quoting 1500 per day for nursery, that’s like 3000 for two days. Honestly, not using it will go a long way in saving cost Abeg.

Thanks

Thank you so
Much for your response

UmmZayd:
It now takes 3months to get a new Nigerian passport at DC and birth certificate from Maryland vital records is 2weeks with standard shipping and 5days with UPS. 3wks for US passport. Please note that the US passport was processed through post office (Maryland). Return of birth certificate, a month plus

Thank you so
Much for your response


quote author=beautyuche post=113621771]Yes you can still use visa on arrival. I had my son in mexico this year the Nigerian embassy never responded to my email neither did the Nigerian immigration office in Abuja. Infact that one email was full. I got an immigration officer who applied for me I printed out and that was it. So instead of this stress put your energy in getting the USA passport then apply for visa on arrival.

Thank you for this vital information. Please is there still visa on arrival in naija for the new born?. Also I’m going to be close to Nigerian embassy in DC, is getting a Nigerian passport better?
Please now that we are kind of in the “post covid “ era, how long does it take to get the US passport? It used to be same day in some states before covid. Thanks

Arrived1st:
About 7 working days they say however give more time.

Ensure you use EXPRESS delivery that you can track. It cost about $27 or so. Make sure you clip everything together.

Follow EVERY INSTRUCTION on the website cos they can be callous, I had to waste about $1,000 to reschedule my tickets and because they didn't bother calling me to confirm a date, the staff at Washington DC just dumped my application and lied that they tried to reach me.

Someone else I know was told that the $150 postal order was missing and THEY DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER GETTING IN TOUCH WITH HER.


I am told Nigeria consulate NYC is better but their ETC is valid for only 14 days so the slightest change of plans can render your $150 ETC useless.

Nigeria embassy washington DC never pick up the phone so it's useless calling them.




quote author=goddessfil post=113312307]Urgent urgent

Please does anyone have an idea how long it takes the nigerian embassy to process an emergency travel certificate for a baby. Anyone in the house done it before? I have seen several people asking questions about an ETC for their baby but no response with any information on how long it takes to be processed and sent back.

Oggg:
no joint application. The two applications will likely even land with 2 different ecos. And will be assessed on its merit. Write ur own letter and get ur own documnts. If tls will help you upload documnets, its about 12k per person.. with this option then u can go with one set of docs, when they do ur husbnd’s then they’ll do urs. As for cover letter, write ur own. Paymnt only done with card.

Thanks you so much

Good day everyone,
Hubby and I are trying to renew our UK visa. We filled the forms (there was no family form so we filled individual forms and stated we are traveling together) and we picked a date for biometrics.
My question is at the biometrics centre(TLS) are they going to upload our documents as one family traveling together? Or do we need to have duplicate documents for them to upload separately? Cos my husband is the one sponsoring our trip together and he wrote one cover letter for us. I want know if they would upload separately so that he can to write a separate cover letter for himself and for me… and we can duplicate documents.

Thanks

UmmZayd:
About siblings cost advantage, yes there is if the siblings are willing to cover the cost of birthing for the mother. Someone just posted giving birth at New Jersey so you may DM to ask her the name of the hospital used

Please are you trying to say it’s ok for your sibling to use their insurance for you? I thought this wasn’t allowed and it could affect visa renewal in the future …. I understand this person is a British passport holder and doesn’t need a visa for the USA in the future but I’m asking for us visa users. Is it ok for you to use your siblings insurance ? Cos my sis has a solid health insurance plan of which she pays good premium. I won’t mind if I use her insurance and pay the remaining out of pocket bill o , if e no go affect visa renewal. After all it’s not tax payer’s money is it? Since my sis pays good premium or what’s it called for it.

Hello everyone,
Any mama in Maryland at the moment or Maryland bound soon?
Please I’m headed to maryland July/ August and I’m so confused. I birthed in Alaska the first time where everything was so close to each other and I didn’t worry about distance.
I’m trying to gather my burden of proof, I need affordable hospital please. I’m going to staying in baltimore(that’s where family is now). I was looking at Prince Goerge county hospital as I heard they are quite affordable. But now they seem to be closed. Some of the other hospitals seem pricey as Maryland only gives 1-2% and from the look of things I may be having CS.
Please considering my circumstance can anyone
1) recommend an affordable hospital ( preferably less than 10k with everything inclusive for vaginal and may be less than 12k for everything inclusive for CS? )

2) please can you recommend a doctor ? Is Dr. Chaudry still working? He used to
Use Prince Goerge county hospital is why I’m asking.

Please help thanks.

giselle237:
yes

Thank you for your response. Yes to which of the questions I asked please