My wife's baby delivery is on......her interview date!

[deerman 0]

Hi All,

I'll try to be brief:

Wife's pregnant with our first child, due June 26. We get an interview notice early May saying the interview is on June 26! We were a little disappointed. Immediately called USCIS hotline (the number on the bottom of the notice), and after going through their "If.....please press....." maze I was able to reach a real live lady. She said this was not an emergency (yet) so you can't reschedule. What you have to do, I was told, was call when she is admitted to the hospital; at that point it is a bona fide emergency. I left it at that (although not satisfied with the answer). Fast forward to this past Monday. Wife sees OB; OB says she's pretty dilated and actually in early labor. "I wouldn't be surprised if you go into labor tonight..." She instructs us to stay close to home and not go far away. We both freak out because she had been feeling good and has not had many contractions, so we recently thought we'd be able to make the interview. So it's not looking like we should leave for the interview (about 140 miles away). After hearing all the horror stories about people having to file motions to re-open cases even after missing interviews for legitimate reasons, I thought it would be best if we call the hotline ahead of time and explain the situation and see what USCIS recommends. I reached a friendly officer who said he'll contact the Detroit office with a request to reschedule and told us don't worry, congratulations, etc. He typed up what the doctor told us (we have her recommendation on paper and it is signed by her). He said that we will still get a no-show notice, but we should ignore it. Then he said we should just wait until the USCIS gives us further instructions. "Just wait" made us quite worried, especially when it comes from immigration. It's just not specific enough.

Well, as of now my wife's still feeling okay and we think we may be able to hang in there for the interview and make it. We regretted asking for the reschedule. However, we are now thinking that perhaps the request will be slow in making it to the interview office and we can still be seen. Does anyone think that this would cause a problem. We realize this is a risk (i.e. wife gives birth on the road) We realized we may be turned away, but we think the drive would be worth it. On the other hand, let's say we are seen, and then they receive the reschedule request after the interview; would that throw them off and cause problems.

We're just trying to do the right thing. We both realize that delivering a baby is a valid excuse to not show up for the interview; but we don't want to delay this for months and months, filing motions to re-open, redoing the biometrics, paying more fees, talking to attorneys, living in more limbo.

What do you guys think?

Thanks so much for your input.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Wow - first. Congratulations! Second - if you can make the interview without endangering your wife or your child - go. You realize your wife may end up delivering in Detroit, though, because you not only have the interview, but you have the return drive home. It is very unlikely they will turn you away - bring your original notice with you and tell them that while you had requested a rebook, you thought you would try and make it. The request for the reschedule arriving after the interview shouldn't cause a problem as they will already have the interview in place and you should know if you have been approved or denied (Highly unlikely, under the circumstances). You could, of course, end up cutting the interview short if your wife goes into hard labour. Before you decide, talk with your doctor and ask him his thoughts on your wife traveling this distance at this time. Measured against all of the hassle of a new interview date, or horrors - a mix up in the paperwork and a need to re-open a file is the health and safety of your wife and child. If you can do this safely, then go; if not, then no.

Edited June 25, 2008 by Kathryn41

[soulprovider915 4]

Talk very nice and ask the baby to hold on and wait until the 27th!!!!! Promise the baby a lot of gifts when it's born. In reality, although it's not ideal, I would go to the interview and tell them as soon as you go in that your wife may go into labor at any second. I'm sure that will put the fire to their feet. Just prepare for the unexpected. (Alternate Hospital or facility) I hope all is well!!

Hi All,

I'll try to be brief:

Wife's pregnant with our first child, due June 26. We get an interview notice early May saying the interview is on June 26! We were a little disappointed. Immediately called USCIS hotline (the number on the bottom of the notice), and after going through their "If.....please press....." maze I was able to reach a real live lady. She said this was not an emergency (yet) so you can't reschedule. What you have to do, I was told, was call when she is admitted to the hospital; at that point it is a bona fide emergency. I left it at that (although not satisfied with the answer). Fast forward to this past Monday. Wife sees OB; OB says she's pretty dilated and actually in early labor. "I wouldn't be surprised if you go into labor tonight..." She instructs us to stay close to home and not go far away. We both freak out because she had been feeling good and has not had many contractions, so we recently thought we'd be able to make the interview. So it's not looking like we should leave for the interview (about 140 miles away). After hearing all the horror stories about people having to file motions to re-open cases even after missing interviews for legitimate reasons, I thought it would be best if we call the hotline ahead of time and explain the situation and see what USCIS recommends. I reached a friendly officer who said he'll contact the Detroit office with a request to reschedule and told us don't worry, congratulations, etc. He typed up what the doctor told us (we have her recommendation on paper and it is signed by her). He said that we will still get a no-show notice, but we should ignore it. Then he said we should just wait until the USCIS gives us further instructions. "Just wait" made us quite worried, especially when it comes from immigration. It's just not specific enough.

Well, as of now my wife's still feeling okay and we think we may be able to hang in there for the interview and make it. We regretted asking for the reschedule. However, we are now thinking that perhaps the request will be slow in making it to the interview office and we can still be seen. Does anyone think that this would cause a problem. We realize this is a risk (i.e. wife gives birth on the road) We realized we may be turned away, but we think the drive would be worth it. On the other hand, let's say we are seen, and then they receive the reschedule request after the interview; would that throw them off and cause problems.

We're just trying to do the right thing. We both realize that delivering a baby is a valid excuse to not show up for the interview; but we don't want to delay this for months and months, filing motions to re-open, redoing the biometrics, paying more fees, talking to attorneys, living in more limbo.

What do you guys think?

Thanks so much for your input.

Edited June 25, 2008 by soulprovider915

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Had this been posted yesterday (6/24), I could have made the callous suggestion of early induced labour; still doable, but less of a window to work with.

Tell the baby to hold on to something and wait until the 27th!!!!!

Hi All,

I'll try to be brief:

Wife's pregnant with our first child, due June 26. We get an interview notice early May saying the interview is on June 26! We were a little disappointed. Immediately called USCIS hotline (the number on the bottom of the notice), and after going through their "If.....please press....." maze I was able to reach a real live lady. She said this was not an emergency (yet) so you can't reschedule. What you have to do, I was told, was call when she is admitted to the hospital; at that point it is a bona fide emergency. I left it at that (although not satisfied with the answer). Fast forward to this past Monday. Wife sees OB; OB says she's pretty dilated and actually in early labor. "I wouldn't be surprised if you go into labor tonight..." She instructs us to stay close to home and not go far away. We both freak out because she had been feeling good and has not had many contractions, so we recently thought we'd be able to make the interview. So it's not looking like we should leave for the interview (about 140 miles away). After hearing all the horror stories about people having to file motions to re-open cases even after missing interviews for legitimate reasons, I thought it would be best if we call the hotline ahead of time and explain the situation and see what USCIS recommends. I reached a friendly officer who said he'll contact the Detroit office with a request to reschedule and told us don't worry, congratulations, etc. He typed up what the doctor told us (we have her recommendation on paper and it is signed by her). He said that we will still get a no-show notice, but we should ignore it. Then he said we should just wait until the USCIS gives us further instructions. "Just wait" made us quite worried, especially when it comes from immigration. It's just not specific enough.

Well, as of now my wife's still feeling okay and we think we may be able to hang in there for the interview and make it. We regretted asking for the reschedule. However, we are now thinking that perhaps the request will be slow in making it to the interview office and we can still be seen. Does anyone think that this would cause a problem. We realize this is a risk (i.e. wife gives birth on the road) We realized we may be turned away, but we think the drive would be worth it. On the other hand, let's say we are seen, and then they receive the reschedule request after the interview; would that throw them off and cause problems.

We're just trying to do the right thing. We both realize that delivering a baby is a valid excuse to not show up for the interview; but we don't want to delay this for months and months, filing motions to re-open, redoing the biometrics, paying more fees, talking to attorneys, living in more limbo.

What do you guys think?

Thanks so much for your input.

[Lili 3]

Just a little bump to make sure you, the wife and the baby are doing alright.

I really hope everything works out today.

[Mags 112]

Only 2% of babies arrive on their due date. First babies are on average 10 days late. I'm sure you'll be fine, try not to worry.

[deerman 0]

Hi Everyone,

We are very happy to report that everything went fine, thank God. We gambled, going against the doctor's orders, and went to the interview (My wife felt fine all day yesterday. The day before we agreed that she should just sit on the sofa and not move on inch.). They actually even saw us 15 minutes before the scheduled interview time. The officer was very nice and kept things to no more than 10 minutes. Just the standard questions such as have you ever kidnapped anyone, have you committed any crimes.....etc. They only asked to see my license. Baby didn't pop out on the road (but we packed some towels and gear for just in case ). We passed the interview and they ordered card production!

No baby yet, still waiting. (btw, my wife was dilated 5 cm as of last monday). I'm not saying anyone in the same situation should do the same thing, but we would have felt absolutely horrible if we didn't go and the baby didn't come yet.

Apparently at the USCIS office they had no information about anyone calling to reschedule. Our file was there and we were ready to go. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments. If it wasn't for your encouragement we probably would have just not gone.

We are absolutely elated and now can just focus on the little one.

Good luck to everyone else.

Deerman

Edited June 27, 2008 by deerman

[ellla 0]

Great news! Congratulations! I was thinking about you

[CBR 0]

Thank goodness everything worked out! I just saw this thread now, but was on the edge of my seat reading each post lol. Hopefully since she's been dilated so long when she goes into active labor it will be swift and pain kept to a minimum. With my first I had dilated early like that too and when I finally acknowledged I was truly in labor my daughter was born just a few hours later and it really wasn't bad at all. Of course every single birth is unique, I wish your wife the same easy delivery!!

[Mrs. BB 0]

Hooray!! Great to see it all worked out.

[Lili 3]

congratulations!!! Glad to hear you and your wife are safe! Any day now, the baby should be here! How exciting!

[edp333 9]

Congratulations on the approval and an early congratulations on the birth.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Congrats on interview (and in advance for birth)!

[deerman 0]

I'll tell you what, this last week felt it was like a month long. First we're going, then not, then we're going, then doubts set in, we call to cancel, then we're going. I told my wife not to be disappointed if we wake up 5 am and drive three hours to get to the interview location, then get turned back for whatever reason. I tried to keep her as mentally relaxed as possible the day or two before (while I was stressing out at work like crazy; dropped a few hairs!). I even snuck the baby car seat into the trunk the night before for just in case; didn't want her to see it and then due to some psychosomatic reason start going into labor in Detroit (No offense to Detroiters, I'm sure you are a wonderful bunch, but I didn't want my first kid to be born in Detroit! ). As soon as the interview was over we just flew back home; I didn't even stop to eat (I didn't eat anything from wednesday night until early yesterday evening). It's amazing how adrenaline alone will keep you awake and hunger-free!

Take care everyone.

[Cécy 44]

Glad you went. Talking over the phone isn't worth much with USCIS. If you had wanted to rescheduled you have needed to use the form at the bottom of the page or make an infopass appointment.

So I'm glad you went and that the baby let you do it.

Congrats on the interview and I wish you both the best as about to be parents.