Here is the latest data from the big conference call by the USCIS and DOS today. This email is from our agency - I'm so thankful that they update us and keep us informed. Its funny - if they haven't heard they sometimes just send and email to tell us that! Ha. Anyhow - its great that they did this - I think it was in my in-box shortly after 5 pm today! The call was from 1-4. Anyhow - Craig and I have some different interpretations of my last post - so I"m gong to ask some questions through the agency - so we'll see.
Also - note - you can follow by email now - yeah - try signing up for that.
I'm working on my faith - praying for God and thankful for my wonderful friend in TN that's keeping me focused. She's right - just have faith and pray - God has a plan. I honestly do believe that - we'll bring our boys home sooner than later. I also think God has other things he wants Craig and I to accomplish before our child is home - I may not "like" that, but do believe somethings are much needed to better our lives. So hopefully those "things" can be shared someday - but for now their just little personal things.
God Bless everyone for their prayers.
Gail
Dear Families,
Many of you were likely participating in the conference call today. For those that were unable, we want to share with you some of the main points of the discussion.
Here is a link to the presentation that was given:
http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Outreach/Upcoming%20National%20Engagements/National%2\
0Engagement%20Pages/2011%20Events/April%202011/Ethiopian%20Adoptions%20-%20Prese\
ntation.pdf
The presentation covers all of the main points that were discussed and is quite comprehensive. We recommend that you read through this thoroughly.
After the presentation, they opened the meeting up for discussion and questions.
* USCIS/DOS reports that the majority of the cases are "good" cases and that the
majority of children are clearly determined to be orphans, but there are serious
problems in transparency as to how children are coming into care.
* Page 8 of the presentation outlines the proposed pre-approval process (filing
I-600) which will allow the US Embassy to investigate and approve the case prior
to the family appearing in court and becoming legal parents of the child. The
timeline for implementation of this was not given.
* There is currently one employee at MOWCYA (formerly known as MOWA) processing
cases. It was suggested that if MOWCYA were to increase their staff, the number
of cases processed daily would likely increase from five. They did not give a
projection as to when this might change, but did say that they were offering
assistance in training MOWCYA employees.
* USCIS/DOS will be meeting with MOWCYA in the next few weeks to assist them in
improving their practices and address deficiencies. They will report back to us
after this time with the outcome.
* Specific questions can be sent to askci@state.gov
We will continue to update you with any new information that becomes available.
If you hear something that you would like us to confirm, please email us at
ethiopia@adoptionassociates.net. We will only post information that we know to
be factual.
We are encouraged to have learned today from USCIS/DOS that the majority of the
cases processed through the Embassy are approvable and that they are making
strong efforts to assist MOWCYA with the improvement of their procedures.
Laura, Sally & Mary
Ethiopia Team
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