The adoption groups are abuzz tonight. A memo describing new DNA testing requirements was posted on Bring Our Children Home. This site is legit, but they haven't shared their source yet, so I'm incredibly curious to see what comes of this.
If accurate (and legitimate - it is April Fools' Day, after all), the memo mandates that orphans and their birth families will have to undergo DNA testing - possibly twice - to confirm actual familial relations before an adoption can proceed. The memo itself is odd; it needs a lot of clarification and another proofread. For instance, it states that this testing will be required for abandoned children. I'm assuming they mean relinquished children, since abandoned children were, by definition, um... you know, abandoned. As in, left without contact information for their birth families. Makes giving them a blood test a bit tricky. The memo also refers to PAPs represented by attorneys instead of agencies, which is not currently an option for adopting from VN.
I don't know what all the potential ramifications are for PAPs (assuming VN adoption is allowed to continue). Obviously it would be yet another hurdle. I can't wait to hear my agency's take on this one.
I suppose it's possible that CIS is modeling this requirement after the DNA testing system in Guatemala adoption. I don't know a lot about those details, but I do know that the DNA testing causes major time delays in a lot of Guatemala adoptions. The Vietnam memo projects a one-month turnaround; I don't know that I fall for that, especially given the recent I-600 debacles.
Anyway. I'm off to watch The Biggest Loser. This is the first season we've watched it, and we're hooked. We were going to work out tonight, but Hubby's too sore from a kickboxing DVD we did last night (and he never trusted me that those were great workouts...). We're going to eat taco soup instead... and yes, I'm aware how contradictory those activities are. :)
Showing posts with label CIS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CIS. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
It's in the Mail!
Friday CIS called to say our approval was ready to be picked up.
This led to a bit of jumping around in my cubicle, followed by an afternoon of mad-crazy errand running. I left work to have one last form signed by our home study agency in Edmond. From there, it was off to west OKC to pick up Hubby at his office so we could have that final form notarized at a nearby bank. Then it was another trip to the Department of Homeland Security/CIS to pick up that wonderful approval form. Unfortunately my checkbook was at home, so southwest OKC was my next stop. After swinging my my in-law's office to make copies of everything, I finally mailed the paperwork and The Big Fat Check (dossier fee) to CHI. That amount of money deserves a formal name, hence the capitalization.
So, with any luck.... we'll be on the list Monday! Say it with me.... woo hoo!
This led to a bit of jumping around in my cubicle, followed by an afternoon of mad-crazy errand running. I left work to have one last form signed by our home study agency in Edmond. From there, it was off to west OKC to pick up Hubby at his office so we could have that final form notarized at a nearby bank. Then it was another trip to the Department of Homeland Security/CIS to pick up that wonderful approval form. Unfortunately my checkbook was at home, so southwest OKC was my next stop. After swinging my my in-law's office to make copies of everything, I finally mailed the paperwork and The Big Fat Check (dossier fee) to CHI. That amount of money deserves a formal name, hence the capitalization.
So, with any luck.... we'll be on the list Monday! Say it with me.... woo hoo!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
A Bit Closer
Our social worker faxed our child abuse clearances to CIS this morning. Via email, CIS confirmed receipt. I asked them if I could come pick up our I-171H when it is ready to avoid the mail delay... surprisingly, they said yes! Wonders never cease. They'll call me as soon as it is ready, which should be sometime next week. I'm trying to leave my afternoons flexible so I can pick it up and bring it to the post office the second it's ready.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Closer to "The List"
A rep from the Citizenship and Immigration office called early this evening. My initial reaction was, "Oh no - we have to redo our fingerprints!"
However, it turns out she was processing our application and was about to issue approval (!!!!) when she realized we were missing one form from our home study agency. She was kind enough to call and ask us to fax it to her in the morning instead of going through the usual mail
notification process. I think she could tell I was a bit excited - I acted like she was my new best friend. I would have invited her over for a sleepover, complete with a round of Girl Talk, if I thought it would move things along.
The missing form is our DHS child abuse clearance. I'll call our home study agency on my way to work tomorrow and beg/plead for them to fax it asap. Wow. I'm so pleasantly surprised our fingerprints have already cleared! I've seen several bloggers have to redo theirs. I'll never complain about the gritless-Orange Glo again.
The most recent addition I've seen to the list was about #253. However, due to a couple of referrals and some families changing to other countries (due to issues I'll blog about another time), that family has moved up about 15 places in the last month (that is certainly not usual). That family was added to the list weeks ago, and I don't know how many have been added after them.
Once we receive our I-171H, we'll overnight it to CHI with the biggest check we've ever written, other than for our cars or the down payment on our house. Money well spent. :)
However, it turns out she was processing our application and was about to issue approval (!!!!) when she realized we were missing one form from our home study agency. She was kind enough to call and ask us to fax it to her in the morning instead of going through the usual mail
notification process. I think she could tell I was a bit excited - I acted like she was my new best friend. I would have invited her over for a sleepover, complete with a round of Girl Talk, if I thought it would move things along.The missing form is our DHS child abuse clearance. I'll call our home study agency on my way to work tomorrow and beg/plead for them to fax it asap. Wow. I'm so pleasantly surprised our fingerprints have already cleared! I've seen several bloggers have to redo theirs. I'll never complain about the gritless-Orange Glo again.
The most recent addition I've seen to the list was about #253. However, due to a couple of referrals and some families changing to other countries (due to issues I'll blog about another time), that family has moved up about 15 places in the last month (that is certainly not usual). That family was added to the list weeks ago, and I don't know how many have been added after them.
Once we receive our I-171H, we'll overnight it to CHI with the biggest check we've ever written, other than for our cars or the down payment on our house. Money well spent. :)
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
CIS Visit
Hubby and I happily met at the Department of Homeland Security Office today for our fingerprint appointment. We were greeted by two stern guards at a security station much like you'd pass through at the airport.
Their serious demeanor didn't last long, though. Straight from work, I was wearing a dressy black knee-length skirt, sweater, and knee boots. The security guard asked me to remove my boots to pass through the metal detector. I complied... only to reveal hot pink striped knee socks that were originally part of my Strawberry Shortcake Halloween costume. Oops. Plan ahead, plan ahead....
While waiting for our fingerprints, we were instructed to scrub our hands with overscented lotion pumped from an industrial-size carton. Hubby commented that it smelled like Orange Glo cleaner, and we were told that's exactly what it was, minus the "grit." I felt like a citrus fruit for the rest of the afternoon.
We hit it off with the gentleman who took our fingerprints. He redid several of our prints multiple times to make sure they met the computer's specs. He and Lance discovered that they both became Catholic within the last few years, and they had a good chat about the Church and their classes.
A citizenship ceremony was about to commence as we left. One lady I met seemed absolutely giddy about gaining citizenship. I was excited for her.... I know it's not quick or easy to do so. There were dozens of people there, many of them with flowers and cameras. What a big day they were having!
As for us, we're so glad to have another step out of the way. Now we will watch the mail for our I-171H. Once we receive that, we'll overnight it to CHI and officially be added to their list. Based on other blogs I've read lately, we expect to be in the mid-200's. Let the waiting begin!
Their serious demeanor didn't last long, though. Straight from work, I was wearing a dressy black knee-length skirt, sweater, and knee boots. The security guard asked me to remove my boots to pass through the metal detector. I complied... only to reveal hot pink striped knee socks that were originally part of my Strawberry Shortcake Halloween costume. Oops. Plan ahead, plan ahead....
While waiting for our fingerprints, we were instructed to scrub our hands with overscented lotion pumped from an industrial-size carton. Hubby commented that it smelled like Orange Glo cleaner, and we were told that's exactly what it was, minus the "grit." I felt like a citrus fruit for the rest of the afternoon.
We hit it off with the gentleman who took our fingerprints. He redid several of our prints multiple times to make sure they met the computer's specs. He and Lance discovered that they both became Catholic within the last few years, and they had a good chat about the Church and their classes.
A citizenship ceremony was about to commence as we left. One lady I met seemed absolutely giddy about gaining citizenship. I was excited for her.... I know it's not quick or easy to do so. There were dozens of people there, many of them with flowers and cameras. What a big day they were having!
As for us, we're so glad to have another step out of the way. Now we will watch the mail for our I-171H. Once we receive that, we'll overnight it to CHI and officially be added to their list. Based on other blogs I've read lately, we expect to be in the mid-200's. Let the waiting begin!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Fingerprint Appointment
WOOT! We have a fingerprint appointment! I received an email this morning that they have us scheduled for 12:00 tomorrow.... a bit of a short notice but I'm thrilled it's so quick. I couldn't tell from the way the email was worded if they had mailed us a notice that we never received, or if they just squeezed us in. I've been pleasantly surprised by the CIS office's responsiveness to email.
With a quick dental appointment switch for Lance, we can both make the appointment. I promise I'm not hiding a felonious background. For some reason they won't just take my word on it.
With a quick dental appointment switch for Lance, we can both make the appointment. I promise I'm not hiding a felonious background. For some reason they won't just take my word on it.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Money money money!
It's odd to be happy that large sums of money have been drafted out of your checking account, but we were tickled to receive the receipt for our I-600A over the weekend. The money actually came out of the account back on my 30th birthday - an odd reverse birthday gift of sorts, I suppose.
Apparently the Oklahoma CIS office is currently processing all applications for both Texas and Oklahoma adoptions. We still don't have our appointment time, but that should arrive within the next couple weeks - hopefully the appointment will be soon. CIS said they average 60 days to process our fingerprints and send us our I-171H. Here's to hoping they're in a zippity mood for 2008 so we can hop on that list ASAP!
Apparently the Oklahoma CIS office is currently processing all applications for both Texas and Oklahoma adoptions. We still don't have our appointment time, but that should arrive within the next couple weeks - hopefully the appointment will be soon. CIS said they average 60 days to process our fingerprints and send us our I-171H. Here's to hoping they're in a zippity mood for 2008 so we can hop on that list ASAP!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Fingerprint Appointment
Happy New Year everyone! Here's to a great 2008....
Due to wee bit of impatience, plus my concerns that our fingerprint notice may have been lost in the mail, I've been trying to contact someone - anyone - at CIS for several days.
I was pleasantly surprised to receive an actual email response this morning. They said our info has been forwarded to the ACS (whatever that is) for processing, and that we should receive a notice of our appointment time within the highly definitive time frame of two weeks "or so." Not exactly speedy, but at least it's moving!
Due to wee bit of impatience, plus my concerns that our fingerprint notice may have been lost in the mail, I've been trying to contact someone - anyone - at CIS for several days.
I was pleasantly surprised to receive an actual email response this morning. They said our info has been forwarded to the ACS (whatever that is) for processing, and that we should receive a notice of our appointment time within the highly definitive time frame of two weeks "or so." Not exactly speedy, but at least it's moving!
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