appears to have tightened the noose on Nigerian pregnant women who have formed
the habit of traveling to the US to deliver their babies. The women employ the
ploy to ensure that such babies become citizens of the US in order to enjoy all
the benefits of US citizenship.
However, with the new policy being introduced in the US,
Nigeria women who travel abroad to deliver their babies may now have to opt for
other countries other than the US or be multi-millionaires before they can have
access to travelling for child delivery and qualify for automatic citizenship.
Most pregnant women in the past concealed their pregnancies
during their visa interview or went for the interview with protruding tummies.
But unfortunately for them now, women who are making such future plans may have
the plans fall flat as the U.S embassy has got wind of the popular gimmick
pregnant women use to secure visa for child delivery in the foreign country.
Already, the embassy has outlined some conditions which have
to be met before such a visa which falls under medical tourism category is
issued. But these conditions will not be favourable to many.
The applicant has to show proof of available funds of at
least $140,000 (about N24 million) to pay medical fees; the applicant has to
show proof of the need for medical attention in the U.S, such as high risk
pregnancy and the likes.
US Embassy Chief of Consular Section, Ms Carol Cox disclosed
that it would cost at least $60,000 to have a baby in the US and when
complications arise from the delivery; the medical bills may go as high as
$140,000.
Thus, fund availability, is very important as it is necessary
to ensure that American taxpayers do not have to pay such bills, says Cox.
‘We owe the American public who pay taxes to make sure that
those who seek medical services in the US pay for such services. This is
essential because there are those who have the money and are not willing to pay.
‘It is very frustrating when you see a woman who is obviously
pregnant. Sometimes seven months gone, tell you during a visa interview that
she is just going to the US for a vacation,’ she said.
This new law was obviously made to discourage Nigerian women
from traveling in the bid to get citizenship for such children but only those
who need medical attention and can afford at least N24 million for medical
bills will have the opportunity to deliver children in the country.
However, US president is currently planning to put a big
smile on the faces of illegal immigrants. So far, it’s the most-specific
comprehensive-immigration reform plan proposed.
A draft of a White House immigration proposal would allow
illegal immigrants to become legal permanent residents within eight years.
The nation’s 11 million illegal immigrants could apply for a
newly created ‘Lawful Prospective Immigrants’ visa, under the bill being
written by the White House.
According to the White House draft, people would need to pass
a criminal background check, submit biometric information and pay fees to
qualify for the new visa. If approved, they would be allowed to legally reside
in the US, work and leave the country for short periods of time.
Illegal immigrants would be disqualified from the programme
if they were convicted of a crime that led to a prison term of at least one
year; three or more different crimes that resulted in a total of 90 days in
jail, or if they committed any offence abroad – all which would render the
alien inadmissible.
