Medical Emergency

[wizzard1663 0]

My wife arrived in the US on a K1 Fiance Visa last July, and she received her Green Card many months ago. She Petitioned her two unmarried children both of whom are over the age 21, and each of them has two children. Both Petitions were approved in less than two months, however I then found out the quick approval is totally meaningless; since, the wait for an available Visa is currently 12 years for Philippine people with 2B priority.

One of her daughters children is a 5 year old girl named Euan. Euan has never stood up, and has very severe spinal deformities. These deformities if not surgically repaired soon after age 5 will cause her ultimate demise due to organ failure. Now I have a surgeon from a renowned institute here in the states willing to convince his Medical Center to accepte Euan and save her. The problem now is how can I get her here? We can't wait 12 years; she will be dead way before that.

Do any of you have knowledge that may help us.

Thanks as always,

Carl and Maria

[mrsean 4]

you need help from your congressman,senators etc

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

No body can help you, expedite requires an emergency or hardship for a US Citizen. That the Alien Relative has a medical need means nothing to USCIS. I was told exactly this when we requested an expedite due to my stepsons medical issues.

You might want to research a medical visa for her to come for the surgery.

Edited May 26, 2010 by Bob 4 Anna

[aleful 1,905]

My wife arrived in the US on a K1 Fiance Visa last July, and she received her Green Card many months ago. She Petitioned her two unmarried children both of whom are over the age 21, and each of them has two children. Both Petitions were approved in less than two months, however I then found out the quick approval is totally meaningless; since, the wait for an available Visa is currently 12 years for Philippine people with 2B priority.

One of her daughters children is a 5 year old girl named Euan. Euan has never stood up, and has very severe spinal deformities. These deformities if not surgically repaired soon after age 5 will cause her ultimate demise due to organ failure. Now I have a surgeon from a renowned institute here in the states willing to convince his Medical Center to accepte Euan and save her. The problem now is how can I get her here? We can't wait 12 years; she will be dead way before that.

Do any of you have knowledge that may help us.

Thanks as always,

Carl and Maria

the only thing I can think of is a humanitarian visa, but she cannot live in the US, only for the surgery and recovery, then she has to return to the Phillipines.

[wizzard1663 0]

the only thing I can think of is a humanitarian visa, but she cannot live in the US, only for the surgery and recovery, then she has to return to the Phillipines.

Can you point me in the direction of information on a Humanitarian Visa. I haven't seen reference to that on the Dept of State web site. I found reference to a Temporary Visa for Medical Treatment, but it seems as though that is a very short term visa. Euan will need multiple surgeries and rehab, and the doctor I spoke with estimated total time frame to be between one and two years.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

That is the Humanitarian Visa, she will have to go back home between surgeries. You will have to show documentations as to whom will finance and support the individual for the medical care too.

Edited May 26, 2010 by LIFE'SJOURNEY

[Boiler 45,486]

You are going to need a letter from the Hospital confirming that they will waive all the charges.

Probably also confirmation that the treatment is not available locally.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

My wife arrived in the US on a K1 Fiance Visa last July, and she received her Green Card many months ago. She Petitioned her two unmarried children both of whom are over the age 21, and each of them has two children. Both Petitions were approved in less than two months, however I then found out the quick approval is totally meaningless; since, the wait for an available Visa is currently 12 years for Philippine people with 2B priority.

One of her daughters children is a 5 year old girl named Euan. Euan has never stood up, and has very severe spinal deformities. These deformities if not surgically repaired soon after age 5 will cause her ultimate demise due to organ failure. Now I have a surgeon from a renowned institute here in the states willing to convince his Medical Center to accepte Euan and save her. The problem now is how can I get her here? We can't wait 12 years; she will be dead way before that.

Do any of you have knowledge that may help us.

Thanks as always,

Carl and Maria

Why isn't the Medical Center helping with this process if they are taking her on as a Humanitarian Case?

[wizzard1663 0]

Why isn't the Medical Center helping with this process if they are taking her on as a Humanitarian Case?

The medical center used to take kids from all over the world and cover everything completely. A little over a year ago they reduced the available spots to children from only five countries, and the Philippines are not included in that list. The doctor is the only contact I've had so far, and he called me today indicating a willingness to push to have Euan accepted for treatment; however, he knows nothing of immigration and that whole process. He said that since she is not from one of the five countries, we would need to bring her here with us as her Guardian. He said the hospital now wants to bill insurance companies, if they are involved in coverage, but that the hospital agrees to cover all deductibles, copays and coinsurances. So we would have no cost, other than bringing her here and covering her expenses (non medical) while she is here.

Does anyone know how i can find out about Humanitarian Visas. Can you point me to a page in a web site.

Carl

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

The medical center used to take kids from all over the world and cover everything completely. A little over a year ago they reduced the available spots to children from only five countries, and the Philippines are not included in that list. The doctor is the only contact I've had so far, and he called me today indicating a willingness to push to have Euan accepted for treatment; however, he knows nothing of immigration and that whole process. He said that since she is not from one of the five countries, we would need to bring her here with us as her Guardian. He said the hospital now wants to bill insurance companies, if they are involved in coverage, but that the hospital agrees to cover all deductibles, copays and coinsurances. So we would have no cost, other than bringing her here and covering her expenses (non medical) while she is here.

Does anyone know how i can find out about Humanitarian Visas. Can you point me to a page in a web site.

Carl

Carl, if the Phil is not one of the countries on there list, then you will have to prove this "Probably also confirmation that the treatment is not available locally".

Whose Insurance will be covering this? look at what you typed, you stated the the hosp will waive the out of pocket expenses, but they will be billing the Insurance. So you will have to show how this will be covered along with everything else.

As always Google is my friend. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=accc3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=accc3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Edited May 26, 2010 by LIFE'SJOURNEY

[Boiler 45,486]

She would not be immigrating.

It would be the same process as that involved in the 5 countries. B2 most likely.

What Insurance cover is in force?

This sounds all very weird.

[sjr09 155]

What about Shriners or Shriners International

If you know of a child we might be able to help, please call our toll-free patient referral line:

In the U.S.: 800.237.5055

http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main/Admission

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Humanitarian Parole

Humanitarian parole is used sparingly to bring someone who is otherwise inadmissible into the United States for a temporary period of time due to a compelling emergency.

USCIS may grant parole temporarily:

To anyone applying for admission into the United States based on urgent humanitarian reasons or if there is a significant public benefit

For a period of time that corresponds with the length of the emergency or humanitarian situation

Parolees must depart the United States before the expiration of their parole. You may submit a request for reparole, which must be approved by USCISis or her stay in the United States. Parole does not grant any immigration benefits.

Requirements for Parole

Anyone can file an application for humanitarian parole.

You may file an application for parole if you cannot obtain the necessary admission documents from the Department of State

You cannot use parole to avoid normal visa-issuing procedures or to bypass immigration procedures. As noted above, there must be an urgent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit for the parole to be granted

To see if you can obtain the necessary admission documents from the Department of State, see the “U.S. Department of State Visa Information” on the right

Filing for Parole

To file for parole you must:

Complete a Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and Include the filing fee for each parole applicant

Complete a Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, for each applicant in order to demonstrate that you will not become a public charge

Include detailed explanation and evidence of your circumstances

If you are represented by an attorney, he or she must file a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative.

All requests for parole must be submitted to:

USCIS Dallas Lockbox

For US Postal Service (USPS) Deliveries:

USCIS

PO Box 660865

Dallas, TX. 75266

For Express mail and courier deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: HP

2501 S. State Hwy 121, Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

You will receive a written notice once we have received your application and again when your case has been decided. If you do not receive a response within 120 business days, then you may contact the Parole Branch in writing at the address above.

If you are currently in removal proceedings or have been previously removed from the United States, you will need to submit your request to:

Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Office of International Affairs

Attn: Section Chief, Law Enforcement Parole Branch

800 N. Capitol St.

Washington, DC 20536

Reparole Request

We recommend that you file a request for reparole at least 30 days before the expiration date on your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.

To apply for an extension of parole with USCIS you must:

Have received your humanitarian parole from USCIS

File Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, and on the first page write, ‘REPAROLE REQUEST’ in bold letters

Include the filing fee

File a Form I-134, Affidavit of Support

Include current supporting documentation

Include a copy of your Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, that you were issued upon parole into the United States

You must submit requests for extensions of parole to the following address:

USCIS Dallas Lockbox

For US Postal Service (USPS) Deliveries:

USCIS

PO Box 660865

Dallas, TX. 75266

Denied Parole Requests

There is no appeal from denial of parole. However, if there are significant new facts that are relevant to your application, you may submit new documents with updated supporting evidence following the “Filing for Parole” procedure outlined above.

Medical Parole

If you need humanitarian parole for medical reasons, you must submit the following, with documentation to support any assertions, where available:

An explanation from a medical doctor stating the diagnosis and prognosis, and how long the treatment is expected to lastInformation on the reasons why you cannot obtain treatment in your home country or in a neighboring countryThe estimated cost of the treatment and an explanation on how the treatment will be paid forHow you will pay to return to your countryParole for Children with Medical Needs

Parole of children, including for medical needs, requires the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Parole of orphans from Haiti, including for medical reasons, may require approval from the government of Haiti. For information on a special parole program for certain orphans in Haiti, please see the “Questions & Answers: Information for U.S. Citizens in the process of adopting a child from Haiti” link to the right.

Last updated: 04/15/2010

Read carefully

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

What about Shriners or Shriners International

If you know of a child we might be able to help, please call our toll-free patient referral line:

In the U.S.: 800.237.5055

http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main/Admission

They have this disclaimer

The service area of Shriners Hospitals for Children® includes the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, the Republic of Panama and Mexico. As of April 2009, we are temporarily not accepting new patients residing outside of these areas.

[wizzard1663 0]

Thanks all of you for your input and help.

sjr09 It is actually Shriner's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia that I have made contact. Their web site, as the one in the link you sent for California, has the following statement limiting participants:

The service area of Shriners Hospitals for Children® includes the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, the Republic of Panama and Mexico. As of April 2009, we are temporarily not accepting new patients residing outside of these areas.

I said five countries but it is actually four as you can see, with one of the countries being our own. They are not willing to help the rest of the world. I contacted the one in Philadelphia because one of their surgeons has been helping kids born with a relatively rare disease that cripples them. I found the name of the doctor from a story on a web site devoted to a young girl who was saved by this doctor in Philly, so I just mailed a letter to him asking for help.

Boiler. The reference to insurance is because the Shriners is changing their policy as of this August. Historically they asked for no payment, whether or not there is insurance involved. Now they will be wanting to bill an insurance company; although, the physician said that they will still offer to cover the deductible, copays and coinsurance. He said if there was no insurance they would still consider the case. I only found this out today when he called me in response to my letter, so I'm not sure how that will play out in our situation. If I end up somehow bringing her here with us as her Guardian (whatever a guardian is), I suppose I can then add her to my insurance. With the new law going into effect as of September in the US, no company can deny a child regardless of pre existing conditions. Unfortunately adults dont get that reprieve until the year 2014. My work is health and life insurance, so at least I'm up to par on those issues. I'd have the cost of adding her to our policy, but that is little to pay to save her life.

Life's Journey you have been wonderful. The information is extremely helpful. The issue of the care being available in her own country would possibly be a sticky one; although, I'm fairly confident we could overcome that one. Her birth defect is a rare one, so there are limited surgeons internationally who can help these kids. The guy in Philly is one of them. In the Philippines, unless the family has significant resources, there is no medical/surgical treatment available except at the so called Charity Hospitals. I've been in one and didnt even recognize it as a facility for medical purposes; nevermind, having surgeons capable of the techniques needed to save this kid. The family is devoiod of any financial resources, so the Charity Hospital would be her only hope.