Please see an immigration attorney. Overstaying your visa/staying in the country illegally can eliminate your ability to be here legally in the future. Even having children who are citizens/getting married will not aid in gaining legal status once a visa has been violated.
As the pp said please talk to someone about immigration! If the right situation arises ICE will not hesitate to deport you, they will let you take your child or leave them behind but it won't stop you from getting deported that you are the mother of a U.S. Citizen. You could probably qualify for a green card and then your medical situation may be much different as well. The longer you wait to deal with the immigration issue the more laws you are breaking and the less likely you are to be able to stay legally.
Another option is to return to the UK for the remainder of your pregnancy and childbirth, so that you can utilize the universal healthcare system there. I know the baby's father is here, but I'm betting a passport, visa, and plane tickets for him cost a lot less than uninsured healthcare does for you. Edit words
Why can't you leave the father? Go home and get proper healthcare. Your baby and health are more important at this point. Utilize what your country provides for free instead of trying to work the system here.
I'm seriously disturbed that you are taking advantage of the hospitality of this country. You are not in a life or death situation. You can go home to a safe country and be taken care of for free. This is wrong on so many levels. You can work out whatever it is with the father on your own. Taking advantage of an already over burdened system when you don't need to is horrible.
OP, I worked for an immigration attorney when I was in college. The US doesn't mess around. They WILL deport you and bar you from ever returning in some circumstances - and it doesn't have to be criminally related. If you've followed the news, you'll see that it's a hot button political issue right now, which is not in your favor. Please speak to an attorney and get the ball rolling. Many offer free consulting and services to lower income people. Don't just hope for the best because it won't go away. You can't even get a good job these days without proper documentation, because no business will put themselves on the line like that. And if, heaven forbid, your relationship doesn't work out, you are in a really bad spot. The father can take your baby and you can be booted out. Happens every day. I know you're in love and think that will never happen, but hope for the best and plan for the worst!
Personally, I'd go back to the UK and get proper medical care while simultaneously getting your immigration stuff in order. It's the most rational, responsible thing to do. Think with your head, not your heart.
Thanks girls!!
I have looked into every kind of medical possible but my situation is complicated to the point I don't qualify for health care of any kind.
I can't get Medicare or any of the wic programs.
I'm just hoping I can get the ball rolling this week when I have a meeting with an obgyn.
My SO works full time and we are putting money aside every two weeks to pay the bills off, I just don't have any options for health insurance. Have already spoken to hospital about my situation and most are not even willing to do the delivery for me.
Am very confused by it all and its putting my stress levels up big time.
I'm so glad for this app giving me help and tips I would be lost without it
I am confused for a few reasons:
1. What state do you live in?
2. Have you go onto your states Obamacare website? It's where insurance companies are forced to offer subsidized insurance for low-income families? Also, a pregnancy is a qualifying life event to get you insured asap.
3. If your SO is working full time, why does he not qualify for benefits? This is now a law that full time employees have benefits, and since he is your baby-daddy and since you are together, you can qualify for "Domestic Partnership". It's what Same-Sex people have be doing for ages.
4. Doesn't any clinic nearby have a social worker to speak with?
5. I have found u/s where I live for $40
6. I also have been able to have almost all my medical covered by the state of california.
So far I have been put in the system and given patient number. And have been told two hospitals where I will be on file and able to deliver. Just found out I can set up payment plans so I will be able to get the care I need during pregnancy which is a huge relief to me. My situation is that I am a UK citizen living in USA. Fell in love and a month after arriving missed my period and I just can't leave the father. So it puts me in a situation where I'm not documented and not a lot is available to me. I am relieved that once baby is born they will have all the treatment they need to be strong and happy. Can't help but worry a lot. It's a tough situation to be in but I want to do what's best for the child and find out if everything is okay in there : )
@amargaret24 it's less confusing when this update from OP is also taken into consideration.
Re: Uninsured and scared
I know the baby's father is here, but I'm betting a passport, visa, and plane tickets for him cost a lot less than uninsured healthcare does for you.
Edit words
You can work out whatever it is with the father on your own. Taking advantage of an already over burdened system when you don't need to is horrible.
Personally, I'd go back to the UK and get proper medical care while simultaneously getting your immigration stuff in order. It's the most rational, responsible thing to do. Think with your head, not your heart.
DD 12/20/99, DS 12/14/12, M/C 9/2014, M/C 1/2015