u/dentedcoop

TL;DR: I am a U.S. Green Card holder (~24 months in) planning to travel to India to deliver my baby and return when the baby is a few months old. The trip could last 5.5 to 8 months. Looking for advice on: (1) managing continuous residence scrutiny at 8 months vs. 5.5 months, (2) airline check-in/CBP entry for a newborn entering on an Indian passport under the NA3 immigrant visa waiver, and (3) whether there are major drawbacks/regrets to bypassing U.S. birthright citizenship (planning to naturalize around April 2029).
Hi everyone,
I am a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) currently expecting, and I am planning to travel to India to deliver my baby there, then bring the newborn back to the U.S.
I’m aware of the rule under 8 CFR 211.1(b)(1) / NA3 category where a child born abroad to an LPR mother during a temporary visit can enter the U.S. without an immigrant visa and receive an I-551 stamp/Green Card upon arrival. However, I want to make sure I’m not missing any critical blind spots or making a decision I’ll regret later.
Here are my details and current timeline:
LPR Status: Have been an LPR for almost 24 months (naturalization eligibility expected around April 2029).
Trip Duration: Likely between 5.5 months and 8 months (not fully locked down yet).
Plan for Child: Baby will be born in India, receive an Indian passport, and accompany me on my very first trip back to the U.S. within their first two years of life. Once I naturalize (aiming for 2029), the baby would automatically acquire U.S. citizenship via INA Section 320 (Child Citizenship Act).
Questions & Concerns:

1. Trip Length & Continuous Residence:
   If I stay for 5.5 months, I remain under the 180-day threshold.
   If I extend to ~8 months, that exceeds 180 days. I know this could raise scrutiny regarding continuous residence for both re-entry and naturalization continuity. Would you strongly advise filing Form I-131 for a Re-entry Permit before departing, or does strong evidence of ties (lease/mortgage, taxes, employment verification) suffice for an 8-month postpartum stay?
2. Port of Entry / Airline Boarding (Carrier Issues):
   Has anyone who delivered abroad encountered pushback from airlines in India during check-in because the newborn only has an Indian passport and no physical US visa/stamp?
   How smooth was the CBP inspection at the U.S. Port of Entry for getting the temporary I-551 stamp on the baby’s passport?
3. Loss of Birthright U.S. Citizenship:
   For those who opted to deliver abroad instead of having a child born on U.S. soil: Have you run into any major logistical hassles or regrets (e.g., delays in acquiring the baby's Indian passport, waiting until parental naturalization for U.S. citizenship, or international health insurance coverage during travel)?
   Would love to hear from anyone who has gone through this exact process or immigration pros with tips on pitfalls to avoid.
   Thanks in advance!

TL;DR: I am a U.S. Green Card holder (~24 months in) planning to travel to India to deliver my baby and return when the baby is a few months old. The trip could last 5.5 to 8 months. Looking for advice on: (1) managing continuous residence scrutiny at 8 months vs. 5.5 months, (2) airline check-in/CBP entry for a newborn entering on an Indian passport under the NA3 immigrant visa waiver, and (3) whether there are major drawbacks/regrets to bypassing U.S. birthright citizenship (planning to naturalize around April 2029).
Hi everyone,
I am a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) currently expecting, and I am planning to travel to India to deliver my baby there, then bring the newborn back to the U.S.
I’m aware of the rule under 8 CFR 211.1(b)(1) / NA3 category where a child born abroad to an LPR mother during a temporary visit can enter the U.S. without an immigrant visa and receive an I-551 stamp/Green Card upon arrival. However, I want to make sure I’m not missing any critical blind spots or making a decision I’ll regret later.
Here are my details and current timeline:
LPR Status: Have been an LPR for almost 24 months (naturalization eligibility expected around April 2029).
Trip Duration: Likely between 5.5 months and 8 months (not fully locked down yet).
Plan for Child: Baby will be born in India, receive an Indian passport, and accompany me on my very first trip back to the U.S. within their first two years of life. Once I naturalize (aiming for 2029), the baby would automatically acquire U.S. citizenship via INA Section 320 (Child Citizenship Act).
Questions & Concerns:

1. Trip Length & Continuous Residence:
   If I stay for 5.5 months, I remain under the 180-day threshold.
   If I extend to ~8 months, that exceeds 180 days. I know this could raise scrutiny regarding continuous residence for both re-entry and naturalization continuity. Would you strongly advise filing Form I-131 for a Re-entry Permit before departing, or does strong evidence of ties (lease/mortgage, taxes, employment verification) suffice for an 8-month postpartum stay?
2. Port of Entry / Airline Boarding (Carrier Issues):
   Has anyone who delivered abroad encountered pushback from airlines in India during check-in because the newborn only has an Indian passport and no physical US visa/stamp?
   How smooth was the CBP inspection at the U.S. Port of Entry for getting the temporary I-551 stamp on the baby’s passport?
3. Loss of Birthright U.S. Citizenship:
   For those who opted to deliver abroad instead of having a child born on U.S. soil: Have you run into any major logistical hassles or regrets (e.g., delays in acquiring the baby's Indian passport, waiting until parental naturalization for U.S. citizenship, or international health insurance coverage during travel)?
   Would love to hear from anyone who has gone through this exact process or immigration pros with tips on pitfalls to avoid.
   Thanks in advance!

My husband and I have been married for 9 years. We were always happily childfree, with frequent check-ins to see if our feelings changed. Last year, my husband lost his grandmother, which triggered a lot of anxiety about old age. He eventually concluded he wanted kids, and I was open to the idea, even though it wasn't my first preference.

We got pregnant in three months, and I am currently 16 weeks.

Our Background We are both naturally averse to change. It took us about two years to fully adjust our lives together, but since then, we have never been happier. We live a simple life and have decent finances.

The Reality Check Since the day we found out about the pregnancy, neither of us has been completely happy. The reality of the effort has struck us hard. My husband has now decided that, given the choice, he prefers not to go ahead with the baby. He loves me deeply and has promised to do everything for the baby if I decide to continue, but his preference has shifted.

My Internal Conflict I am really struggling with where I stand:

No strong conviction: I don't actively desire this baby. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't get pregnant. If something were to naturally happen to the pregnancy, I would not try again.
• ⁠Religious guilt: I am religious, so the thought of an abortion weighs heavily on my conscience, though I have somewhat made peace with it lately.
• ⁠The confusion: I am no longer scared of having the baby. I know I can make the adjustments and that raising a child is totally doable for us—it's just not something I actually desire.

The Urgency I am so torn that I have booked and postponed an abortion appointment three times in the last three weeks. I currently have it rescheduled for this Friday, and I need to make a final decision by then.

Has anyone been in a similar headspace? How do you choose between an outcome you don't really desire and an action that weighs heavily on your

My husband and I have been married for 9 years. We were always happily childfree, with frequent check-ins to see if our feelings changed. Last year, my husband lost his grandmother, which triggered a lot of anxiety about old age. He eventually concluded he wanted kids, and I was open to the idea, even though it wasn't my first preference.

We got pregnant in three months, and I am currently 16 weeks.

Our Background We are both naturally averse to change. It took us about two years to fully adjust our lives together, but since then, we have never been happier. We live a simple life and have decent finances.

The Reality Check Since the day we found out about the pregnancy, neither of us has been completely happy. The reality of the effort has struck us hard. My husband has now decided that, given the choice, he prefers not to go ahead with the baby. He loves me deeply and has promised to do everything for the baby if I decide to continue, but his preference has shifted.

My Internal Conflict I am really struggling with where I stand:

• No strong conviction: I don't actively desire this baby. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't get pregnant. If something were to naturally happen to the pregnancy, I would not try again.
• Religious guilt: I am religious, so the thought of an abortion weighs heavily on my conscience, though I have somewhat made peace with it lately.
• The confusion: I am no longer scared of having the baby. I know I can make the adjustments and that raising a child is totally doable for us—it's just not something I actually desire.

The Urgency I am so torn that I have booked and postponed an abortion appointment three times in the last three weeks. I currently have it rescheduled for this Friday, and I need to make a final decision by then.

Has anyone been in a similar headspace? How do you choose between an outcome you don't really desire and an action that weighs heavily on your conscience? Any help or perspective is appreciated.