I'd like to add my commiseration to the others about your situation. It really, really sucks. I'm wondering if this delay might complicate your traveling with Pip. Would coming to NYC first make a difference?

Hey, how about just buying a one-way return ticket for a month after your currently planned arrival date? Get a rock-bottom one, regardless of the reliability of the airline, just to have it to show Homeland Security. Just a thought, literally off the top of my head.