The last time I posted about this, I shared my frustrations with our government (namely USCIS- United States Citizenship & Immigration Services- and The Department of Homeland Security).  I truly believe that the average American citizen floats through life never having to deal with these people, and therefore thinking that our government is just fine.  On the other side of that coin, are people like us, who have had major dealings with them, and are extremely frustrated as a result.  We're left wondering "what's so great about the USA anyway?"  Here's the latest........

We've been waiting for some sort of news about Gracie and Ian's Certificate of Citizenship(s).  We sent in the applications with the (higher) fees months ago.  After receiving no satisfaction or help from anyone at USCIS, we turned to our Federal Representative- an assistant of his has been very proactive in tracking our case, which has been a real godsend.  We had put matters out of our minds, just hoping for the best.

Yesterday, Brian came home from the post office with a letter from USCIS/Dept. of Homeland Security, saying that Ian's application has been accepted and that they will send his Certificate of Citizenship as soon as we relinquish his Alien Registration Card (otherwise known as a "green card").  The letter stated that we were to tape the card to a copy of the letter and return it to them "in the enclosed envelope".  Problem is, they didn't enclose an envelope.  So the question is, do we take a chance and return it to the address on the letterhead?  Did the supposed-to-be-enclosed envelope per chance have a different address, or a "attention: so-and-so" on it?  Having no idea what to do, and no phone number to call, I went to the USCIS website.  If you've never had to go to that site, consider yourself lucky~ it's horrible to try to find what you're looking for! 

I ended up calling the 800 "help" line.  I use the term "help" extremely loosely, as it's a real joke in this case.  The lady I spoke to, who was at least trying to  be nice, told me that we should go to the USCIS website and set up an appointment to go to our local office and turn it in, since we didn't have the enclosed envelope.  Now, correct me if I'm wrong here, but wasn't this mistake a direct result of THEIR negligence;  yet, our family is to the  punished (yet again) by having to drive 3 hours to inner-city Philly for an appointment?!  I don't think so.  They cannot give out a phone number for the local offices;  in fact, she told me they don't even have  them.  Do you believe that?! 

So, we called our contact at the Federal Rep's office again, and she will be in touch with her contact at USCIS to find out what we're supposed to do.  Here's the catch.......right in the letter, it states that we have 30 days to return the letter with the ARC.  If they don't receive it in that time frame, they will destroy our original application and paperwork.  Now, to me, I read  between the lines~ I see the fine print that says "you'll need to reapply and pay the high fee again". 

Please, if you read this far, say a prayer that our Rep's assistant can work this out for us, and fast!  I spent the morning of my anniversary very stressed, and I've shed many a tear over this whole situation during the past year.  I just want it to be done, once and for all.  And, to think, we still need to receive a similar letter for Gracie (please, oh please, may they remember the enclosed envelope next time!)

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Mar. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 4sweetums

My prayers are with you. It sounds like dealing with SSI. Another government angency...Hmmmm. The paper work is incrediable and they change their minds constantly about what it is they want. I wish we did not have to be going in the SSI direction for our teen son but he will be 18 soon and will loose all health insurance. He has a pacemaker and a stiff chest wall so he does not qualify for any normal health insurance at least not any that 2 years of research has found.
Blessings,
Dawn

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Mar. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by HandsRaisedToHeaven

Ahhhh...I feel your pain. Immigration is so difficult to work with. I seem to get questions best answered through email. Do you still have paperwork for when you submited the I600a? We got a business card with an email address. I've emailed asking questions and they've actually answered. Worth a shot, maybe then you won't have to waste the time in the car and waiting for your appt time.

I'll be praying...

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Mar. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I am not suprised you are going thru this with USCIS. We have not heard anything yet as to the status of Justin and Kaden's applications for citizenship. We submitted at the end of July along with several other families we know and they have heard nothing either. They are so random with their rules and regulations. Some families have to go in person for the interview and to turn over their child's green card while others have had their certificates mailed directly to them.
I don't know if we'll have to go in person or they will be mailed to us.
One benefit about going in person is that if there is a mistake on the certificate it can be corrected right then. I know several families where the certificate was mailed and the information was incorrect!
I am no help am I?
Michele
http://koreamom.blogspot.com

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Mar. 2, 2008 - My thoughts and prayers are with you...

Posted by proverbsmomof3

I am not only praying for a speedy resolution to this situation but that God will use it for His glory, that there will be reforms in the international adoption process and that families will be strengthen through your testimony. May He keep you strong and may you rest in the comfort that He has placed these people in authority therefore He is in control of this and every situation.

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Mar. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by AcceptanceWithJoy

Uh, the US Consulate in Haiti has slowed to a near crawl at doing orphan investigations and adoption visa appointments. I am right with you as far as being frustrated with the immigration process. I have already spent almost $2000 to get the kids into the US. My "approval" to bring kids into the US for the purpose of adoption expires in June. And the US Consulate in Haiti is going to be closed for the entire month of April to move their office. Did I tell you I took part in moving an entire hospital full of patients including burn patients and we did it in less than 8 hours? How many adoption records do you think could be lost in a cross town move? Wouldn't you think that they would be working over time to "clear their desk?"

Did you want me to whine in your comment section?

Hopefully you will understand that I feel your pain.

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