If you are planning to come to the U.S. while pregnant, you may find it harder than you anticipated it would be. Immigration authorities can take a tough stance on pregnant women.
At the start of the year, the previous administration introduced rules to make it harder for pregnant women to get a visa. It wanted to cut the number of people who immigrate to the U.S. Further, children born in the country to immigrant mothers can claim citizenship.
What is birth tourism?
The term “birth tourism” refers to women coming to the U.S. for the sole purpose of giving birth. There are valid reasons for doing so. Women from countries with inadequate medical facilities may feel safer giving birth in the U.S. than in their home country. Women whose partners live in the U.S. may want to give birth here so their partners can be present.
However, some people make vast sums of money helping women who want to give birth in the U.S. to get their children U.S. citizenship. These enablers charge up to $80,000 to facilitate the process.
As a result, immigration authorities may take a stricter stance on any woman they think is pregnant. Consulate officials may require proof you can pay for medical treatment in the U.S. They may ask you for medical reasons why you cannot give birth in your home country. What is worse, they may assume you are pregnant even if you are not.
You might intend to visit the U.S. and then return home to give birth. However, it could still make getting a visa a challenge.
An experienced immigration attorney can help you understand more about getting a visa to travel to the U.S. while pregnant. Immigration issues can be challenging to understand, and the rules frequently change.