Baby Born On Plane Headed For Chicago

(CBS/AP)  This was one baby who couldn't wait to land.

A 42-year-old woman gave birth to a healthy girl late Wednesday aboard a plane destined for O'Hare International Airport from Mexico, officials said Thursday.

The birth on the Mexicana Airlines plane came nearly an hour before the midnight landing, airport spokeswoman Wendy Abrams said.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said a child born in airspace over American territory is eligible for U.S. citizenship.

The woman was flying from Guadalajara with her husband and two children to visit relatives in Milwaukee.

"There was a doctor who happened to be flying who also happened to be an obstetrician-gynecologist," Chicago Fire Department spokesman Richard Rosado said. "So she couldn't have been in better hands."

"The people on board the aircraft — they were cheering and clapping and congratulating her as we exited the aircraft," paramedic Al Trigl told CBS station WBBM-TV in Chicago.

The woman and her 7-pound, 8-ounce newborn are doing fine, said a spokeswoman at Resurrection Medical Center.

The Citizenship and Immigration spokeswoman said if the parents want to pursue citizenship for their daughter, they'll have to file an application. Then officials investigate whether the child was born in Mexican airspace or over international waters.

The woman, who was not identified, is a Mexican citizen, reported the Chicago Sun-Times.

[mcashel]

Human Citizen,

You seem to do a lot of the stories yet you are the one reading them and taking the time to responding. Why don't you find something better to do and get rid of the anger.

[jamiebonner]

You may not be aware, but Mexican airlines might have different regulations about pregnant passengers than do airlines in the United States. I'm sure this woman got on the plan in labor so that she could risk her and her baby's life so that the baby might be granted citizenship. Get real, what good is US citizenship is the child's parents cant be here legally, too?

Stop being so cynical and be happy that this turned out perfectly for both baby and mom.

[sallmaras]

Human?? I may agree with some of what you have written, however, you have such a harsh tongue and presentation of your opinion. Thus, your message gets lost in the delivery.

Did this woman enter into the "air space" of the US in an effort to gain citizenship for herself, spouse, etc., possibly. Why did the airlines allow her to travel when we all aware that the airlines will not allow an expectant mother to travel in her 8th month without a doctors written consent. Do I believe that something may be sinister here, you betcha, but demonstrate that you have at least a little class in your writings.

[ladyephesus1]

HuumanCitizen,
You sound like a miserable little runt to me. I havent seen you write anything positive in any of the stories today. shame, shame, shame on you!! Misery loves company but dont come bother the ones that want to comment on the positive stories!! Go away!!!!!

[juliehg-2009]

Cool...better than reading about the Ethics Committee and Foley.

[idunkwn41]

who cares about citizenship that should have been left out of the story it is just a happy ending!! and we need one sometimes.

[dventures-2009]

I can't believe what I'm reading. A miracle has happened with a birth a child during the holiday season and all you ppl can do is complain about the baby's citizenship. You should be ashamed of yourselves! You yourselves got your citizenships because you were born in this country. Yet your ancestors are from other countries so get a clue and check your history books! Besides it's the holidays and life's way too short to be scrooges especially when it comes to the miracle of life! To the parents, I say CONGRADULATIONS and Happy Holidays!!!

[nolalou]

Since the credit on the photo says 'iStockphoto', I assume it is not the child born on the flight, but simply a 'logo' created to go along with the story.

That dosn't mean you have to resort to racist comments about 'another dirty mouth to feed' ! If you don't have anything nice to say....

[afmca]

I am glad the mother and baby are doing fine, but this is one part of the citizenship law that MUST change. All children born in the US should automatically have the citizenship of their parents. So if they are not US citizens, the baby isn't either. If they become citizens prior to the childs 18th birthday, the child can become an automatic citizen. After 18, they have to apply on their own. The days of automatic US citizenship given to babies born in the US is no longer needed.

[sunnyday1982]

I happen to agree...illegal citizens have run rampart in this country and it has got to stop....people are complaining that we are being harsh and that this is a nice holiday story...big deal, if it happened over the summer, they'd be saying it would be a nice vacation celebration! No citizenship for this baby and his/her? family!!! We have no idea whether or not they planned in advance to give birth on the plane in order to gain citizenship or not, hopefully, no. Send them back home after the stay in the hospital and their vacation as they had originally planned!!!

[aeasus]

It's nice to read Happy endings. Good luck with the new addition to the family :D