The Haitian Government finalized and approved our adoptions on July 1st. At that time, the girls were given our last name, legally became our children, and were issued Haitian passports so they could leave Haiti.
On July 10th our complete file of documents was sent to the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti. The USCIS is the United States Government agency that oversees foreign adoptions. They must review and approve I-600 petitions for adopted children to be allowed to enter the United States. For three months all we have gotten from the USCIS is the run around. We have provided new documents, had documents attested, provided clarifications of documents, and even provided funeral pictures and videos.
They request information. We provide it. Then we wait. Sometimes we wait a week, sometimes three weeks. We wait for what we hope will be The Email announcing that our I-600 petitions have been approved, but so far it's been requests for more information. It is like an endless loop. The last time we provided information was last Wednesday, October 10th. Since then we have been waiting.
I can email them but they usually don't respond. If they do respond it is likely a form message that simply says "your case is under review". It is literally impossible to call them. If you get through you get a voice mail with a mail box that is full so no message can be left. So, I wait on The Email. Every time my phone vibrates I anxiously look in hopes it will be The Email. I run my battery down hitting the refresh button looking for The Email.
And all that said, Friday afternoon is the worst time of the week. Friday at 4:00 PM means the United States Embassy has closed for the week and that The Email isn't coming. Instead of Thank God It's Friday, it's I Wish It Was Monday. Only Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are qualified to be The Day, the day The Email finally comes. Come Friday at 4:00 PM all we can do is wait for Monday morning. And pray, that Come Monday It'll Be Alright!
And Jesus told them a parable to show them that they should always pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1
Hey! Please email me at cristinah@windstream.net. We just brought our son home Tuesday, Oct. 16 after a 31 month process with Haiti. I would love to share some ideas with you :)
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