No More American Babies For Nigerian Celebrities.

The United States government 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.

The likes of Mercy Johnson who recently had her baby there should be thankful to God because she is likely going to be the last woman standing in Nollywood.

Source: The Compass

House Of Reps Member Disgraces Himself At US Embassy And Ends Up Being Denied Visa.

He arrived at the Consular office of the United States in Abuja last week in a flowing agbada, bearing his self-importance on his lapel. By the time he left, however, a member of the House of Representatives from the South West cut a pitiable sight: He had been denied visa.

That was after he had banged tables and engaged consular officers in a hot argument, consular sources confirmed. He had also issued several threats against the consular official who had demanded proof of his claim that he is a member of the Federal legislative body.

The lawmaker, names withheld, flew into a rage when asked to produce his Certificate of Return, usually issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to successful election candidates.

In response, he repeatedly told the consular officer: "Don't you know I am the lawmaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?" He banged the table several times, and the official told the Nigerian “Big Man”: "Do you know that I reserve the right to deny you or to approve your application?" 

It was reliably gathered that the lawmaker continued to bang the table and, the official subsequently drew the glass shield between him and the Nigerian big man, signifying the end of discussion. 

A letter by the embassy refusing the visa application was, however, silent on the dramatic exchange between the legislator and the official. It simply read: "We have carefully examined your case and regret to inform you that you have been found ineligible for a non-immigrant visa under section 214[b] of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

"This may have been because you either did not demonstrate strong ties outside the United States or you were unable to demonstrate that your intended activities would be consistent with the type of visa for which you applied". 

The letter continued: "To be eligible for a non-immigrant visa you must show that you meet the legal requirement of the type of visa for which you applied and that you will depart the United Sates at the end of your authorised stay.

"Today's decision cannot be appealed. You are welcome to reapply in the future, particularly if you feel there has been a significant change in your circumstances, or if you have additional compelling evidence to support your case that you did not present today".  

When contacted, the lawmaker confirmed that he appeared before the Consular office and that his application was refused. He blamed the refusal on the handlers of the application process who, according to him, "did not tell me what to say.

They did not tell me the documents to take along, they were asking me of the INEC certificate which I did not know they would ask of. I have never been to the USA, so I did not know the evidence they would ask me to present.”

Imagine his excuse.. What’s your say on this?