Stress at the beginning over which program to choose, stress during the process because the program isn't going the way it was supposed to go, and now a crisis at the end. Things were going SO well until we heard that the National Visa Center (NVC) had "no record of our I-171H." The I-171H is the golden ticket, as it were, that the NVC needs to send to the consulate for us to bring Willa home.
I have made over 30 contacts to our federal immigration agencies in the past three days. Our agency has tried too. It has resulted in nothing. Absolutely nothing.
All future international adoptive parents, please acquaint yourself with this guidance from the government about the new way adoption files are handled. You need to know it. The immigration agencies don't understand it and you need to explain it to them. The adoption agencies aren't necessarily on top of it and that's why when our consulate appointment was made for us, no one checked to see whether the consulate was missing our golden ticket from its file.
The kicker is that we are the fifth family that I know of that has experienced the exact same problem in the past couple of months. Many have different adoption agencies and programs. Some of these families experienced delays and had to stay extra time in country. For a couple of families, the ONLY way it was resolved was by getting congressional help.
Once I heard this I contacted the office of our Senator Coleman and sent over our file (including a copy of our I-171H which apparently does not exist). Within ten minutes, his aide had the immigration agencies talking to each other. What a ray of sunshine.
The agencies are still finger-pointing and not doing anything at this point. The NVC is now saying both that "it has no record of our file" and that "it got it and sent it to the consulate." Don't you love it? It doesn't matter because the consulate does not have what it needs. The issue now is getting everyone to redo it and send it to Taiwan before we get there. It must follow a specific path: originate from the local office, go to the NVC and then Taiwan IN ORIGINAL PAPER FORM. (Yes, the new rules deliberately erased all form of electronic communication.) Given this new snail-like pace, if they don't redo it soon, the consulate won't get it in time for our appointment. On Monday, we are going to evaluate where we are and determine whether we need to reschedule our trip for later.
I keep reminding myself that she is still ours, she is still ours, she is still ours, and we will get her home eventually.
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15 comments:
I certainly feel for you... what a nightmare... like you're not busy enough with travel plans, etc. You are right... she IS yours and soon this will be a distant memory. Good luck, and I'll be following along... I can't wait to see those first pictures... it brings back such precious memories!!! Kathy
OMG Jane...what a rat race! I ended up getting the Senator's office involved during our issue with the I-600A! They were a great assistance....so hopefully they will be able to "get it done" for you ASAP...sure hoping that you do not have to delay your trip!
I really don't like govts in any form....sorry...praying that all works out ok.
Jane, I still can't believe that you're having to go through all of this. I'm hoping things pull together and that you can keep your original flights. Looking forward to seeing pictures of you, Joe and Willa!!!
Oh my gosh, what a nightmare is right. I am so sorry this is happening. I am so glad you got your Congressman involved and I will be praying it all works out quickly. I cannot believe the govt. agencies don't come up with a smoother, foolproof method of getting the paper work in the right hands. Hang in there!
oops, I meant Senator in my previous post!
UUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!! You can handle this!!! I wouldn't mess with Jane (or Jia, maybe you should sik her on the government!)
Good gracious, what a nightmare! I am so sorry. I hope things get worked out really soon and that you don't have to delay your trip.
Oh Jane, like you didn't have anything else to worry about or take care of before your trip. I am so sorry to hear about this and hope that the agencies can pull it together long enought to forget about who is to blame and just get it resolved! Praying for you.
OH MY GOD!
Know the ten most feared words in the English language? "I'm from the federal government, and I'm here to help."
Jane and Joe,
I am so sorry to read this. I am sure it such a horrible, mentally-exhausing, stressful feeling to be working so hard at something and have very little control over the end result. I pray that the solution will be found quickly. Trying to find the silver lining, just think you will soon be holding beautiful Willa in your arms and thinking, "Paperwork? What paperwork?"
Oh Jane - I hope things work out soon. This is too much stress right now!
Oh Man... I am sorry to hear of the mess up. I'll say some prayers and hope that Senator Coleman's office can get it fixed quickly!
Joan.
I'm SO SORRY about the mix-up and pray that it is remedied soon! I can't imagine preparing to travel (physically and emotionally)and then finding out that I may have to postpone. Your baby girl is precious!!
This STINKS!!!!!!! Thank god you were on top of this!!!! Sending fast paperwork wishes your way!!!
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