Birth control while out of status?

[SuperW 0]

Ok... This is rather embarrassing, and I aplogize if it's unusual or beyond the scope of this forum, but I'm not sure where else to get an answer. Most of the people here have seemed pretty cool so far, so perhaps you can be of some help...

My I-94 expired a few days ago, and through some past misunderstanding of certain rules, I am now in the position of being "out of status" until I get my NOA1 for AOS. The timing is rather bad, as I have just realized I'm out of birth control pills (I can already hear the snickering, but I am being serious), and am now unsure if it's safe for me to go to a doctor or clinic. In case you're wondering where I got them before, I stocked up on them before leaving for the US (point being that I have not yet established myself at any sort of medical facility here thus far). According to my husband, almost any place where you become a new patient requires some form of ID and writing down a bunch of personal info. He mentioned a place called "Planned Parenthood," saying they're more low-key and care about privacy. But he thinks even they require ID (besides my old Thailand ID card, all I have is my passport w/expired I-94), and I'm guessing their privacy policy may not apply when it comes to "illegal aliens".

Have any of the female readers here ever been in such a situation? (Or guys with their wife or girlfriend?). I suppose it could apply to being out of status and receiving any kind of first time health care in the US. Anyway, if we try anywhere, I'm guessing we'll try "Planned Parenthood." Some ideas I have include: 1). Showing up with my husband and showing them my Thai ID card, along with perhaps our marriage license, but pretending to have forgetten my passport. 2). Showing up with my passport but first removing my I-94. My K-1 visa inside my passport says the K-1 petition expires in early June, and that the K-1 visa itself expires in September. I know that technically the K-1 expires as soon as an immigrant enters the US, but I highly doubt that the average healthcare receptionist knows this.. Maybe this plus my marriage license if asked for would suffice.

Another aspect I'm wondering about is... My husband said most places usually make you write your social security number down on the "new patient" info. Given the extent to which information systems are integrated these days, I wonder if entering my SSN into their computer system could somehow show pull up a "red flag" showing them I'm out of status. I could say I don't have my SSN yet, but if they for some reason needed his, I wonder if it could then pull up mine since we're married (and somehow show a red flag). I'm guessing these SSN concerns are quite unlikely, but I don't know how this stuff works and want to be extra careful for obvious reasons.

I know what most of you are probably thinking... "Why can't her husband just keep it in his pants for a month?" It's not all about sex though. I get bad acne when going off the pill, and feel quite sick for a week or two. It's really a major hassle. "Not as big a hassle as deportation" is what I predict some may write. But for those who actually know a little about the healthcare system here or have by chance been in a similar situation, I would like to know your thoughts so I can accurately assess the situation. If you think it's a big risk, do tell me. Or if you think I'm being paranoid, tell me too. Some last info: We would be walking and/or taking the bus there to avoid the risk of getting pulled over by the police on the way there. And it appears there are no CBP (Customs and Border Protection) stations close to where I live.

[Nik+Heather 121]

I highly doubt they will care very much at all about your immigration status, even if you were to bring your passport.

Your plan sounds fine to me. I agree with you, your SSN in their computers causing you grief seems slim - that's giving the interconnectedness of private business and USCIS a lot of credit.

I assume you aren't covered by insurance yet, so it seems to me that you won't get too many questions to begin with, though you'll have to pay the full price, which you might find rather high.

[Nina~ 431]

I dont think planned parenthood will care about your expired I-94. You will probably need to show them your husband's tax return to show your family income which may qualify you for subsidized costs. Which state are you currently in? I know a couple of states have programs that provide free birthcontrol for low income families and students. I would suggest that you guys play it safe and have some kind of a back-up method... You definitely dont want to get pregnant when you dont have any insurance.

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

Look for a pregnancy aid clinic in your area.

If your husband is worried about it, tell him to get condoms and spermicide. It's NOT all up to the woman to prevent pregnancy. As for the acne there are plenty of products you can buy for that and lots of other for relief of sickness.

[Otto 83]

My feeling is that you're making too much out of this - ICE is not looking for you to come get you and deport you.

[Ed+Cindy 1]

My feeling is that you're making too much out of this - ICE is not looking for you to come get you and deport you.

ICE does not search out people following legal procedures. You are fine.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Ok... This is rather embarrassing, and I aplogize if it's unusual or beyond the scope of this forum, but I'm not sure where else to get an answer. Most of the people here have seemed pretty cool so far, so perhaps you can be of some help...

My I-94 expired a few days ago, and through some past misunderstanding of certain rules, I am now in the position of being "out of status" until I get my NOA1 for AOS. The timing is rather bad, as I have just realized I'm out of birth control pills (I can already hear the snickering, but I am being serious), and am now unsure if it's safe for me to go to a doctor or clinic. In case you're wondering where I got them before, I stocked up on them before leaving for the US (point being that I have not yet established myself at any sort of medical facility here thus far). According to my husband, almost any place where you become a new patient requires some form of ID and writing down a bunch of personal info. He mentioned a place called "Planned Parenthood," saying they're more low-key and care about privacy. But he thinks even they require ID (besides my old Thailand ID card, all I have is my passport w/expired I-94), and I'm guessing their privacy policy may not apply when it comes to "illegal aliens".

Have any of the female readers here ever been in such a situation? (Or guys with their wife or girlfriend?). I suppose it could apply to being out of status and receiving any kind of first time health care in the US. Anyway, if we try anywhere, I'm guessing we'll try "Planned Parenthood." Some ideas I have include: 1). Showing up with my husband and showing them my Thai ID card, along with perhaps our marriage license, but pretending to have forgetten my passport. 2). Showing up with my passport but first removing my I-94. My K-1 visa inside my passport says the K-1 petition expires in early June, and that the K-1 visa itself expires in September. I know that technically the K-1 expires as soon as an immigrant enters the US, but I highly doubt that the average healthcare receptionist knows this.. Maybe this plus my marriage license if asked for would suffice.

Another aspect I'm wondering about is... My husband said most places usually make you write your social security number down on the "new patient" info. Given the extent to which information systems are integrated these days, I wonder if entering my SSN into their computer system could somehow show pull up a "red flag" showing them I'm out of status. I could say I don't have my SSN yet, but if they for some reason needed his, I wonder if it could then pull up mine since we're married (and somehow show a red flag). I'm guessing these SSN concerns are quite unlikely, but I don't know how this stuff works and want to be extra careful for obvious reasons.

I know what most of you are probably thinking... "Why can't her husband just keep it in his pants for a month?" It's not all about sex though. I get bad acne when going off the pill, and feel quite sick for a week or two. It's really a major hassle. "Not as big a hassle as deportation" is what I predict some may write. But for those who actually know a little about the healthcare system here or have by chance been in a similar situation, I would like to know your thoughts so I can accurately assess the situation. If you think it's a big risk, do tell me. Or if you think I'm being paranoid, tell me too. Some last info: We would be walking and/or taking the bus there to avoid the risk of getting pulled over by the police on the way there. And it appears there are no CBP (Customs and Border Protection) stations close to where I live.

Non-issue. Doctors do not care and will not ask your immigration status, besides being "out of status" is not the same as "illegal". And you have filed for the AOS so you are NOT out of status, you just don't have the letter yet to prove it.

Go see a doctor. No need to keep it in his pants.

[Urge To Race 2]

Agreed

Ok... This is rather embarrassing, and I aplogize if it's unusual or beyond the scope of this forum, but I'm not sure where else to get an answer. Most of the people here have seemed pretty cool so far, so perhaps you can be of some help...

My I-94 expired a few days ago, and through some past misunderstanding of certain rules, I am now in the position of being "out of status" until I get my NOA1 for AOS. The timing is rather bad, as I have just realized I'm out of birth control pills (I can already hear the snickering, but I am being serious), and am now unsure if it's safe for me to go to a doctor or clinic. In case you're wondering where I got them before, I stocked up on them before leaving for the US (point being that I have not yet established myself at any sort of medical facility here thus far). According to my husband, almost any place where you become a new patient requires some form of ID and writing down a bunch of personal info. He mentioned a place called "Planned Parenthood," saying they're more low-key and care about privacy. But he thinks even they require ID (besides my old Thailand ID card, all I have is my passport w/expired I-94), and I'm guessing their privacy policy may not apply when it comes to "illegal aliens".

Have any of the female readers here ever been in such a situation? (Or guys with their wife or girlfriend?). I suppose it could apply to being out of status and receiving any kind of first time health care in the US. Anyway, if we try anywhere, I'm guessing we'll try "Planned Parenthood." Some ideas I have include: 1). Showing up with my husband and showing them my Thai ID card, along with perhaps our marriage license, but pretending to have forgetten my passport. 2). Showing up with my passport but first removing my I-94. My K-1 visa inside my passport says the K-1 petition expires in early June, and that the K-1 visa itself expires in September. I know that technically the K-1 expires as soon as an immigrant enters the US, but I highly doubt that the average healthcare receptionist knows this.. Maybe this plus my marriage license if asked for would suffice.

Another aspect I'm wondering about is... My husband said most places usually make you write your social security number down on the "new patient" info. Given the extent to which information systems are integrated these days, I wonder if entering my SSN into their computer system could somehow show pull up a "red flag" showing them I'm out of status. I could say I don't have my SSN yet, but if they for some reason needed his, I wonder if it could then pull up mine since we're married (and somehow show a red flag). I'm guessing these SSN concerns are quite unlikely, but I don't know how this stuff works and want to be extra careful for obvious reasons.

I know what most of you are probably thinking... "Why can't her husband just keep it in his pants for a month?" It's not all about sex though. I get bad acne when going off the pill, and feel quite sick for a week or two. It's really a major hassle. "Not as big a hassle as deportation" is what I predict some may write. But for those who actually know a little about the healthcare system here or have by chance been in a similar situation, I would like to know your thoughts so I can accurately assess the situation. If you think it's a big risk, do tell me. Or if you think I'm being paranoid, tell me too. Some last info: We would be walking and/or taking the bus there to avoid the risk of getting pulled over by the police on the way there. And it appears there are no CBP (Customs and Border Protection) stations close to where I live.

Non-issue. Doctors do not care and will not ask your immigration status, besides being "out of status" is not the same as "illegal". And you have filed for the AOS so you are NOT out of status, you just don't have the letter yet to prove it.

Go see a doctor. No need to keep it in his pants.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Moved to a more appropriate forum for AOS forum

[msu17 0]

I worked at Planned Parenthood last summer. They don't care about legal status or insurance. They operate on a sliding fee scale for both the appt cost and the actual birth control. You do need to show how much you make for the sliding fee scale. You can also establish yourself as a new patient with a local Dr. Regardless, its a lot easier for the whole bc thing if you continue from month to month rather than stopping and restarting.

[letty 1]

Since I'm here and can't obtain a supply from home long enough to last till the next visit, I google "my pill" and ordered it online.... Just make sure it is the same brand name and wouldn't look for good deals. Rather pay a little more and have what I want/need.

Letty

[Marina-Del 10]

First, you can order Birth control online??

Second, as someone said, being "out of status" and "illegal" are entirely two different things. You can drive your own car to the doctor!!!

[meauxna 15]

Or if you think I'm being paranoid, tell me too. Some last info: We would be walking and/or taking the bus there to avoid the risk of getting pulled over by the police on the way there. And it appears there are no CBP (Customs and Border Protection) stations close to where I live.

A little bit of healthy paranoia keeps us alive and out of the way of oncoming buses. You're a little bit beyond that.

I see from your past posts that you are very concerned about being out of status now that your I-94 has expired and you have no receipt notice for your AOS. I thought the following comments from an attorney would be helpful for you.

Re: What allows you to stay after K1 expires?

Quote:

Originally posted by Steffi

My husband and I were wondering, and this may be a really silly question, but what exactly permits you to stay in the counrty after your K1 expires after 90 days? I mean we got married within the 90 days, and we're about to send off the AOS package, but since the AOS shouldn't go into effect until 18-24 months later what exactly is it that permits you to stay in the country? Is it soley based on the fact that we're married? I mean the visa will have expired and I don't have a form in my hand stating that I'm allowed to be in the country.

Hi:

This is a somewhat FAQ. And actually it is gray area of the law. Notionally speaking, you do NOT have lawful status.

However, there is a concept of "color of law" -- inasmuch as you have an application for adjustment of status pending, you are present "under color of law." [in fact there is a concept outside of immigration called "PRUCOL" or "permanent resident under color of law" for those without green cards].

In the normal case, this is not something to worry about. And if you ask what is "normal" -- I'm talking about things like lack of prior deportation order or criminal conviction of some type.

__________________

"Folinskyinla"

www.folinsky.com

Certified Specialist Immigration & Nationality Law

Calif. Bar Board of Legal Specialization

I don't think you need to go to extreme measures to avoid contact with law enforcement.

Planned Parenthood is an excellent option for you and they don't ask about your immigration status.

[letty 1]

First, you can order Birth control online??

Is there something you cannot buy online? Pretty much everything you want you can find.

I wasn't really into buying it online, because I was to scared they would sent me some #######, but my fear for doctors was bigger so I tried it this way.

[kaffy 2]

Buying prescription medicines online sounds dodgy and not something I would do.

To the OP - you are not required to give your SSN to the doctor. I work at a hospital and many patients don't register their SSN with us. They won't care about your immigration status either.

Since you say you have a marriage license I assume you are married. Another option instead of going through Planned Parenthood is to have your husband add you to his insurance as a dependent and that way you have prescription coverage and can see any doctor you like about getting a refill