GREAT NEWS!!!! I got Pre-Approval today! YEAH! One more step closer to bringing Maya home. This happened about 14 days before I thought it would. It is so nice to see something happen faster than anticipated. The next step is PGN but I can not enter PGN until my attorney gets a copy of the Social Work interview. This was done in Guatemala before September 6th but it has not yet been written up. Pray we get that next week and that I enter PGN within the next 2 weeks (I'm trying to be realistic).
By the way... I have been told that the web address is incorrect for the petition. It is actually:http://www.petitiononline.com/foafoa1/petition.html
I have tried to fix the earlier post but my changes aren't coming up. There were a couple extra spaces in the address but otherwise it is correct.
Friday, September 28, 2007
September 28, 2007
GOOD NEWS!
I am going to go on a visit trip to meet Maya in December! I am so excited. I know things are crazy and scary right now but it is so exciting to know that in just a little over 2 months I will get to spend 10 days with Maya. Maya is 21 weeks old today! Thank you Lord for this ray of sunshine! I Love You Maya!
I am going to go on a visit trip to meet Maya in December! I am so excited. I know things are crazy and scary right now but it is so exciting to know that in just a little over 2 months I will get to spend 10 days with Maya. Maya is 21 weeks old today! Thank you Lord for this ray of sunshine! I Love You Maya!
September 28, 2007
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Wow, there is a lot going on within the international adoption community right now. It is all very scary and I could in an instant be in tears and feel abandoned. But I know that God has a plan here and I have to ride it out. I have to keep my faith and know that God's Will will be done here. I have emailed many of you and asked you to contact your government officials and I have been blessed to hear from many of you that you will do this. If you don't mind, I would love to have you email or mail me copies of your letters so that I can put them in Maya's scrapbook so that one day she will be able to know how may people fought to bring her home.
The Joint Council on International Childresn Services has recently sent out this email as a call to action. This intiative is called the Guatemala 500 initiative in reference to the 5000 children that will be left in foster homes or orphanages indefinately is adoptions are stopped. Here is the article:
Link: http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm
Dear Friends,
Guatemalan President Oscar Berger has announced plans to suspend all intercountry adoption with American families on January 1, 2008. Joint Council strongly opposes such a suspension and asks for your support in our efforts to ensure that all children retain the right to permanency through Intercountry Adoption. President Berger's plans also call for the suspension of adoptions currently in-process. Such a suspension would be extremely detrimental to the children referred to adoptive parents. If President Berger's plan is actually implemented, up to 5,000 will unnecessarily remain in foster care or orphanages indefinitely. This situation represents a pending crisis for the adoptive families who have lovingly chosen to provide permanency, safety and love to a child in need and most importantly a crisis for 5,000 children of Guatemala.
What can you do? Make six simple phone calls and one email. 1. Call your U.S. Senator. • You can find your Senators' phone numbers at http://www.senate.gov/ • Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff. 2. Call your second U.S. Senator. 3. Call your representative to the U.S. House of Representative. • You can find your representative at http://www.house.gov/ • Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff. 4. Call or fax the Department of State's Office of Children's Issues • Their number is 202-736-9130 • Their fax number is 202-736-9080 5. Call or fax UNICEF Headquarter • Ask to speak with Ann Veneman, Executive Director • Their number is 212-326-7000 • Their fax number is 212-326-7758 6. Call or fax UNICEF Guatemala • Ask to speak with Manuel Manrique • Their number is 011-502-2327- 6373 • Their fax number is 011-502-2327. 6366 7. Send and email supporting Intercountry Adoption to guatemala5000@ • Write briefly or at length • Joint Council will use the cumulative email petition in our advocacy for Intercountry Adoption.
When should you call? Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (October 8th,> 9th 10th) • For maximum affect, we are asking you to make these calls within a 72 hour window!
What should you say? Speak from your heart and give them the following information. • The Guatemalan government has announced that all adoptions with the U.S. will be suspended on January 1 2008. • Their announcement also indicated that there will be no `grandfathering' of adoptions already in process. • If children referred to families are not allowed to be adopted, they will languish in institutions or foster care. • Your office must get involved and sign the CCAI sponsored letters to the President of Guatemala and UNICEF. These letters ask that all adoptions in-process as of January 1 2008 be allowed to processed to completion under the existing notorial laws. • Your office should contact the Office of Children's Issues at the Department of State. Their number is 202-736-9130.
Can you explain the problem behind the pending crisis? Here is some additional information…
• Guatemalan President Oscar Berger has announced plans to effectively stop all adoptions into the United States including those children who have already been referred to adoptive parents
• Over 5,000 children have been referred
• The birthparents for these children have already relinquished their parental rights. As a result, they currently have no family and the Berger suspension will result in these children having no prospect for a permanent, safe and loving family
• The government of Guatemala currently does not have the finances or facilities to even provide housing for these 5,000> children • The Berger plan is a crisis waiting to happen!
There is also an online petition I am asking everyone to sign.
Please sign this petition authored by Hannah Wallace in response to the most recent DOS warning. http://www.petitiononline.com/foafoa1/petition.html
Finally, but most importantly, please pray! Pray for Maya and all the other children whose lives are in danger if President Berger gets his way. Pray for the children who are in process of adoption that they will come home to their forever families sooner rather than later (or not at all). Pray also that people will look into UNICEF and all the TERRIBLE things they support. Pray for media coverage to uncover these issues. Pray for the adoptive parents that they remain strong. Pray that the US will support their citizens and step in to help here.
If you are interested in reading more go to:
http://www.guatadopt.com/
www.adaguatemala.org/English/news/
http://www.jcics.org/
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Wow, there is a lot going on within the international adoption community right now. It is all very scary and I could in an instant be in tears and feel abandoned. But I know that God has a plan here and I have to ride it out. I have to keep my faith and know that God's Will will be done here. I have emailed many of you and asked you to contact your government officials and I have been blessed to hear from many of you that you will do this. If you don't mind, I would love to have you email or mail me copies of your letters so that I can put them in Maya's scrapbook so that one day she will be able to know how may people fought to bring her home.
The Joint Council on International Childresn Services has recently sent out this email as a call to action. This intiative is called the Guatemala 500 initiative in reference to the 5000 children that will be left in foster homes or orphanages indefinately is adoptions are stopped. Here is the article:
Link: http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm
Dear Friends,
Guatemalan President Oscar Berger has announced plans to suspend all intercountry adoption with American families on January 1, 2008. Joint Council strongly opposes such a suspension and asks for your support in our efforts to ensure that all children retain the right to permanency through Intercountry Adoption. President Berger's plans also call for the suspension of adoptions currently in-process. Such a suspension would be extremely detrimental to the children referred to adoptive parents. If President Berger's plan is actually implemented, up to 5,000 will unnecessarily remain in foster care or orphanages indefinitely. This situation represents a pending crisis for the adoptive families who have lovingly chosen to provide permanency, safety and love to a child in need and most importantly a crisis for 5,000 children of Guatemala.
What can you do? Make six simple phone calls and one email. 1. Call your U.S. Senator. • You can find your Senators' phone numbers at http://www.senate.gov/ • Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff. 2. Call your second U.S. Senator. 3. Call your representative to the U.S. House of Representative. • You can find your representative at http://www.house.gov/ • Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff. 4. Call or fax the Department of State's Office of Children's Issues • Their number is 202-736-9130 • Their fax number is 202-736-9080 5. Call or fax UNICEF Headquarter • Ask to speak with Ann Veneman, Executive Director • Their number is 212-326-7000 • Their fax number is 212-326-7758 6. Call or fax UNICEF Guatemala • Ask to speak with Manuel Manrique • Their number is 011-502-2327- 6373 • Their fax number is 011-502-2327. 6366 7. Send and email supporting Intercountry Adoption to guatemala5000@ • Write briefly or at length • Joint Council will use the cumulative email petition in our advocacy for Intercountry Adoption.
When should you call? Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (October 8th,> 9th 10th) • For maximum affect, we are asking you to make these calls within a 72 hour window!
What should you say? Speak from your heart and give them the following information. • The Guatemalan government has announced that all adoptions with the U.S. will be suspended on January 1 2008. • Their announcement also indicated that there will be no `grandfathering' of adoptions already in process. • If children referred to families are not allowed to be adopted, they will languish in institutions or foster care. • Your office must get involved and sign the CCAI sponsored letters to the President of Guatemala and UNICEF. These letters ask that all adoptions in-process as of January 1 2008 be allowed to processed to completion under the existing notorial laws. • Your office should contact the Office of Children's Issues at the Department of State. Their number is 202-736-9130.
Can you explain the problem behind the pending crisis? Here is some additional information…
• Guatemalan President Oscar Berger has announced plans to effectively stop all adoptions into the United States including those children who have already been referred to adoptive parents
• Over 5,000 children have been referred
• The birthparents for these children have already relinquished their parental rights. As a result, they currently have no family and the Berger suspension will result in these children having no prospect for a permanent, safe and loving family
• The government of Guatemala currently does not have the finances or facilities to even provide housing for these 5,000> children • The Berger plan is a crisis waiting to happen!
There is also an online petition I am asking everyone to sign.
Please sign this petition authored by Hannah Wallace in response to the most recent DOS warning. http://www.petitiononline.com/foafoa1/petition.html
Finally, but most importantly, please pray! Pray for Maya and all the other children whose lives are in danger if President Berger gets his way. Pray for the children who are in process of adoption that they will come home to their forever families sooner rather than later (or not at all). Pray also that people will look into UNICEF and all the TERRIBLE things they support. Pray for media coverage to uncover these issues. Pray for the adoptive parents that they remain strong. Pray that the US will support their citizens and step in to help here.
If you are interested in reading more go to:
http://www.guatadopt.com/
www.adaguatemala.org/English/news/
http://www.jcics.org/
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
September 26, 2007
Hi everyone, I wanted to let you know about some things going on with adoptions in Guatemala and ask for your help. The DOS (Department of State) issued a "warning" yesterday that is absolutely frightening for those of us currently in process and those thinking about starting the adoption process in Guatemala at this time. This "warning" can be read at: http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/country/country_389.html The focus on adoption group wrote a response to this warning and it can be read at: http://www.adaguatemala.org/English/news/
In short, the DOS has stated that they will not protect the interests of those of of in process of adopting if Guatemala shuts downs adoptions in January. I must admit that this is a big political mess and it is scary to think that my daughters home coming may temporarily or permanently be delayed because of all this. I have written my senators, congressman, and President Bush about this matter and would appreciate you doing the same, if you feel so led. Unfortunately, I do not think anything will be done unless people let our government know how important this is. There are many children in Guatemala that will literally be left to die if certain laws currently being considered are passed!! Please help to save these children and bring Maya home to me. Please help me ask our government: Why is DOS ignoring the clear requirements of the Convention? Why is DOS failing to protect the interests of Americans who have undertaken a process in good faith? Why is DOS failing its mandate under the Convention to ensure that adoptions proceed expeditiously and according to the terms of existing law? Why is DOS supporting passage of a law which will hinder adoptions and place children in jeopardy?
Please write to your two U.S. Senators, your U.S. Congressperson, the President of the United States, and directly to DOS. Hold DOS accountable. You can find your US Senators and Representatives at http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ You can write to DOS at: Main address: U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Main Switchboard: 202-647-4000
It takes less than 10 minutes to potentially make a HUGE difference. Thank you! Tiffany
In short, the DOS has stated that they will not protect the interests of those of of in process of adopting if Guatemala shuts downs adoptions in January. I must admit that this is a big political mess and it is scary to think that my daughters home coming may temporarily or permanently be delayed because of all this. I have written my senators, congressman, and President Bush about this matter and would appreciate you doing the same, if you feel so led. Unfortunately, I do not think anything will be done unless people let our government know how important this is. There are many children in Guatemala that will literally be left to die if certain laws currently being considered are passed!! Please help to save these children and bring Maya home to me. Please help me ask our government: Why is DOS ignoring the clear requirements of the Convention? Why is DOS failing to protect the interests of Americans who have undertaken a process in good faith? Why is DOS failing its mandate under the Convention to ensure that adoptions proceed expeditiously and according to the terms of existing law? Why is DOS supporting passage of a law which will hinder adoptions and place children in jeopardy?
Please write to your two U.S. Senators, your U.S. Congressperson, the President of the United States, and directly to DOS. Hold DOS accountable. You can find your US Senators and Representatives at http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ You can write to DOS at: Main address: U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Main Switchboard: 202-647-4000
It takes less than 10 minutes to potentially make a HUGE difference. Thank you! Tiffany
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
September 18, 2007
Good News! I got my letter to be re-fingerprinted. It was in my mailbox last night when I got home so I went this morning and got my fingerprints done. Yeah!!! One more step forward...
Monday, September 17, 2007
September 17, 2007
Just a quick note to say I still have not received any new pictures or the medical update. Maya should have had her doctor appt. 2 weeks ago and that is when the pictures are taken too. It is really hard to be patient when you know the information is sitting at the attorneys office waiting for someone to have the time to email it to the adoption agency so they can email it to me. Hopefully, I will get something soon.
I am still working on getting re-fingerprinted. I finally reached someone (via email) at the Oklahoma City office and I think I should be getting my fingerprinting appointment in the mail anytime now. I had asked to have it faxed to me but haven't received anything yet.
As for the Guatemala election, there is going to be a runoff election in December for 2 of the candidates. I think that is it for now. Please remember to keep praying that Maya is home for Christmas. I know it is not likely if I only look at adoption boards and how old babies are when they are coming home now but I also now that God will bring her home at just the right time and I am praying that is Christmas. :-)
I am still working on getting re-fingerprinted. I finally reached someone (via email) at the Oklahoma City office and I think I should be getting my fingerprinting appointment in the mail anytime now. I had asked to have it faxed to me but haven't received anything yet.
As for the Guatemala election, there is going to be a runoff election in December for 2 of the candidates. I think that is it for now. Please remember to keep praying that Maya is home for Christmas. I know it is not likely if I only look at adoption boards and how old babies are when they are coming home now but I also now that God will bring her home at just the right time and I am praying that is Christmas. :-)
Friday, September 7, 2007
September 7, 2007
Happy Birthday Maya. You are 18 weeks old today!
No new pictures or medical update as of yet. I guess it will be next week (hopefully). This weekend is the Presidential Election in Guatemala and they have implemented a holiday on Monday due to that. This election could be very important for the status of future adoptions as the current president is anti-adoption and causing a lot of trouble. Please pray for good news for adoptions. Then Friday the 14th is Gautemala's Independence Day so all offices are closed again. So it looks like I have Tuesday through Thursday to possibly receive new pictures.
Here is an update on the situation in Guatemala regarding adoptions. It is all really scary and makes me remember just how up the air things really are. I know this is long but I want everyone to have the information and be in prayer that I will be able to bring Maya home as soon as possible. I don't know how people who don't believe in God survive adoption...the WHOLE process is such an act of Faith.
Mr. Tom DiFilipo, President of the Joint Council for International Children's Services (JCICS) sent this message out to all JCICS member agencies
"Dear Colleagues,
The right to permanency through intercountry adoption continues to be challenged by a variety of factors in Guatemala. Hague implementation, competing legislative initiatives, nation wide elections, government raids on social service providers, negative press, ethics concerns and pressure from the international community, all give the immediate future of ICA in Guatemala a very unstable and uncertain platform. Given the increasing uncertainties and in assessing the current and future environment within the Guatemalan adoption arena, Joint Council again strongly recommends that all adoption service providers reassess their programming efforts within the following context.
1. The Guatemalan Congress reaffirmed the Hague Convention with an effective date of January 1, 2008.
2. The Berger administration continues to demonstrate a desire to significantly alter or eliminate intercountry adoption; most recently demonstrated through the raid on Casa Quivira.
3. The Berger administration leaves office on January 14, 2008, 13 days after the Hague Convention goes into force in Guatemala.
4. Based on the aggressive posture demonstrated by the Berger administration and the 13 day window, the possibility exists that the Berger administration may attempt to alter the ICA process.
5. The Guatemalan congress is currently reviewing adoption legislation, most specifically 3217 (with the changes recommended through the technical assistance provided by the Hague Permanent Bureau and other governments such as Colombia). Passage of this legislation, while not assured, would none the less significantly alter the current ICA process. Current cases in the Guatemalan process may or may not be "grandfathered" and it remains an uncertain issue.
6. While the `grandfather' clause in the US IAA does provide for the completion of `pipeline' cases, it does not provide any protection against significant changes to the Guatemalan ICA process.
7. Client families who have applied with USCIS can have their cases transferred to another country program. The significant risks to agencies, families and children begin when the referral is made and accepted.
It can be noted that current efforts include amendments to both 3536 and 3217 providing for a continuation of the current ICA process (a `grandfather clause'); however this assumes that either piece of legislation is actually passed by Congress. It can also be noted that separate legislation could be introduced which would extend the effective date of the Hague Convention for a specific period of time (i.e. 30-90 days).
In assessing this information, one can easily draw the conclusion that the Guatemalan ICA process will be significantly altered as early as January 2008 and no later than March 2008. Assuming that most adoptions from referral to finalization can easily exceed 6 months and in some cases extend over 12 months, it can be concluded that referrals issued in the third and fourth quarters of 2007 may face a very uncertain conclusion.
Of significant concern is the potential for unresolved pipeline cases. USCIS reports no slow down in new applications. Through July, I-600A applications continue at over 400 per month with most being identified with a small percentage of agencies.
It is not outside the realm of possibilities that should this pace continue, over 2,000 cases may be unable to proceed to completion. This leads to yet another concern related to an adoption service provider's capacity to sustain services to children and adoptive parents over a prolonged period which may include legal challenges. It is the recommendation of Joint Council that all agencies again reassess their programming and take the appropriate action to minimize your organizational liabilities, to avoid the problems seen in Cambodia, Romania and recently in Nepal and most importantly to safeguard the best interest of client-families, birthparents and the children we serve.
In a related matter, Joint Council, with the cooperation and support of the Joint Council Guatemala Caucus, issued a letter to President Berger regarding our significant concerns over the recent raid of Casa Quivera. Joint Council called for an immediate halt to such raids, a transparent accounting of all children and the prompt resolution of each case."
No new pictures or medical update as of yet. I guess it will be next week (hopefully). This weekend is the Presidential Election in Guatemala and they have implemented a holiday on Monday due to that. This election could be very important for the status of future adoptions as the current president is anti-adoption and causing a lot of trouble. Please pray for good news for adoptions. Then Friday the 14th is Gautemala's Independence Day so all offices are closed again. So it looks like I have Tuesday through Thursday to possibly receive new pictures.
Here is an update on the situation in Guatemala regarding adoptions. It is all really scary and makes me remember just how up the air things really are. I know this is long but I want everyone to have the information and be in prayer that I will be able to bring Maya home as soon as possible. I don't know how people who don't believe in God survive adoption...the WHOLE process is such an act of Faith.
Mr. Tom DiFilipo, President of the Joint Council for International Children's Services (JCICS) sent this message out to all JCICS member agencies
"Dear Colleagues,
The right to permanency through intercountry adoption continues to be challenged by a variety of factors in Guatemala. Hague implementation, competing legislative initiatives, nation wide elections, government raids on social service providers, negative press, ethics concerns and pressure from the international community, all give the immediate future of ICA in Guatemala a very unstable and uncertain platform. Given the increasing uncertainties and in assessing the current and future environment within the Guatemalan adoption arena, Joint Council again strongly recommends that all adoption service providers reassess their programming efforts within the following context.
1. The Guatemalan Congress reaffirmed the Hague Convention with an effective date of January 1, 2008.
2. The Berger administration continues to demonstrate a desire to significantly alter or eliminate intercountry adoption; most recently demonstrated through the raid on Casa Quivira.
3. The Berger administration leaves office on January 14, 2008, 13 days after the Hague Convention goes into force in Guatemala.
4. Based on the aggressive posture demonstrated by the Berger administration and the 13 day window, the possibility exists that the Berger administration may attempt to alter the ICA process.
5. The Guatemalan congress is currently reviewing adoption legislation, most specifically 3217 (with the changes recommended through the technical assistance provided by the Hague Permanent Bureau and other governments such as Colombia). Passage of this legislation, while not assured, would none the less significantly alter the current ICA process. Current cases in the Guatemalan process may or may not be "grandfathered" and it remains an uncertain issue.
6. While the `grandfather' clause in the US IAA does provide for the completion of `pipeline' cases, it does not provide any protection against significant changes to the Guatemalan ICA process.
7. Client families who have applied with USCIS can have their cases transferred to another country program. The significant risks to agencies, families and children begin when the referral is made and accepted.
It can be noted that current efforts include amendments to both 3536 and 3217 providing for a continuation of the current ICA process (a `grandfather clause'); however this assumes that either piece of legislation is actually passed by Congress. It can also be noted that separate legislation could be introduced which would extend the effective date of the Hague Convention for a specific period of time (i.e. 30-90 days).
In assessing this information, one can easily draw the conclusion that the Guatemalan ICA process will be significantly altered as early as January 2008 and no later than March 2008. Assuming that most adoptions from referral to finalization can easily exceed 6 months and in some cases extend over 12 months, it can be concluded that referrals issued in the third and fourth quarters of 2007 may face a very uncertain conclusion.
Of significant concern is the potential for unresolved pipeline cases. USCIS reports no slow down in new applications. Through July, I-600A applications continue at over 400 per month with most being identified with a small percentage of agencies.
It is not outside the realm of possibilities that should this pace continue, over 2,000 cases may be unable to proceed to completion. This leads to yet another concern related to an adoption service provider's capacity to sustain services to children and adoptive parents over a prolonged period which may include legal challenges. It is the recommendation of Joint Council that all agencies again reassess their programming and take the appropriate action to minimize your organizational liabilities, to avoid the problems seen in Cambodia, Romania and recently in Nepal and most importantly to safeguard the best interest of client-families, birthparents and the children we serve.
In a related matter, Joint Council, with the cooperation and support of the Joint Council Guatemala Caucus, issued a letter to President Berger regarding our significant concerns over the recent raid of Casa Quivera. Joint Council called for an immediate halt to such raids, a transparent accounting of all children and the prompt resolution of each case."
Thursday, September 6, 2007
September 6, 2007 (still)
I didn't get any pictures today so maybe tomorrow. I did speak to my caseworker today and found out that the social worker interview is done (the attorney just doesn't have it yet) and I have officially exited Family Court. We don't know exact dates of when these things occurred but at least they are done. At this point we are waiting on "Preapproval." I don't expect this until after October 10th as it is taking about 60 days from the time DNA is done to the time you get "preapproval." Once I get preapproval, I will move onto the PGN phase.
September 6, 2007
Yesterday was another leap of faith as I mailed a package to Maya. I bought her 2 outfits; a big soft toy that has a variety of colors and textures, and noises; and a kid photo album that is soft and chewable that has my picture and pictures of family and friends inside. Then I included 3 disposable cameras for the foster mom to take pictures with, a letter for the foster mom, and a letter to the attorney. The package is mailed to the attorney and then she gets it to the foster mother. I went to the post office to mail the package yesterday and this is where the leap of faith comes in...I asked to have the package signed for in Guatemala and that is not possible when mailing things to Guatemala. At first he said I would have to send it registered mail instead of Priority mail to be able to have someone sign for it but then when he looked up the cost for that we learned Guatemala does not take registered mail. Then he said I could insure the package and be able to track it but when he looked that up he said Guatemala does not insure packages. Then I had to fill out a customs form and list every item in the package and the value of the items in the package. Then this form was taped to the bottom for all to see and apparently US customs and Guatemala customs take these forms out and mark on them as the go through different check points. So here I have mailed a package to a country that does not let you insure or track anything and I have told exactly what is in the package and I know Guatemala in known for packages not arriving at there destinations ever. I fell like I have "STUPID" written across my forehead. At least right now, I am laughing about it. Please pray with me that the package will arrive as it is scheduled to. It should arrive in 7-10 days.
As for the re-fingerprinting, I'm still trying to figure that out. I have sent an email to Oklahoma City becasue that is where the appointments are being scheduled from now. Apparently, the Dallas office doesn't exist now. Pray I hear from Oklahoma asap.
I love you Maya!
As for the re-fingerprinting, I'm still trying to figure that out. I have sent an email to Oklahoma City becasue that is where the appointments are being scheduled from now. Apparently, the Dallas office doesn't exist now. Pray I hear from Oklahoma asap.
I love you Maya!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
September 1, 2007
Yesterday Maya was 17 weeks old! It is so hard to believe that so much time has passed already. I guess overall that is good (that it is going fast). However, I have to say that yesterday I was extremely frustrated over "just one more detail." To back up a bit, last year when I started the process I had to complete certain steps through USCIS (aka: Immigration). I had to fill out an I-600A, get fingerprinted, and wait on my I171H. This is all part of the steps that are required to legally adopt internationally and bring a child home to the US. Well, believe it or not, Fingerprints expire! Yes, after 15 months I have to be re-fingerprinted! What is up with that?My fingerprints don't change! So why is it that they have us go through 1 more step! Can't ANYTHING be simple!!!!! So at the beginning of July I asked my caseworker when and what I need to do to get my fingerprints updated. He told me that 30 days prior to them expiring (they expire Oct. 8th) I need to go to the USCIS website and make an appt. to get them re-done. Well with next week being the 30 day mark, I went to the website on Thursday and could not understand a thing. So I called customer service for USCIS and they told me "Oh mam, this is an emergency so you need to go to the same place you went last time and tell them you don't have an appt. but could they please help you get this done." Well let me tell you...anytime I hear the words emergency related to this adoption, it is not a good thing! So first thing Friday morning I went to the office in Ft. Worth that did my fingerprints the first time and the guy tells me they can not take anyone without an appt. and when the fingerprints expire I will get a notice in the mail of when I need to have them done. I told him what the guy at the customer service line said and so he went to go get his supervisor. She very politely told me that they do not do fingerprints without appointments and I need to go through whomever I did the first time to set up another appointment. That sounds easy but I did not "go through someone before" I just filled out a form and the appt. was mailed to me. Of course I don't have or need the type of form I filled out the first time so I can't do it that way this time. I then told her what the customer service person said and she said "I really wish they wouldn't take these calls because they don't know the answers... they just deal with immigration." I asked her for a number of someone to call and all she said again was "call whoever you used before." HELLO, did you not hear me...I did not use someone before!!! I told her there are no other numbers but Customer Service listed on the website. She said "I know" and I said "and you will not give me any ones number to call" and she said "I know." I said "So what am I supposed to do?" She said "go to the office in Dallas and have them schedule an appointment for you." I looked at her (after she gave me the address) and said "So what you are telling me is that I took off work for nothing, you can not help me and I need to go to Dallas (but not today because it is a holiday weekend) and have them schedule a time for me to come back here to be refingerprinted." she said "Yes." "So even though my fingerprints expire in 30 days and I have found out that I should have started this process earlier you can not help me. Now my fingerprints will expire, my paperwork in Guatemala will be delayed and my daughter will have to wait to come home with me!" AND MY FINGERPRINTS HAVE NOT CHANGED IN THE LAST 15 MONTHS!!! How frustrating!!! Now I have left a message for my caseworker but he was out of the office yesterday so I have to wait until next week to talk to him about all this. AUGH!
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