FRUSTRATING - sent to USCIS

Well one of our nightmares came true today - we received the dreaded email from the USE that we are "not clearly approvable' and sent to USCIS (who's African office is in Nairobi, Kenya.  I guess its at least 1 week to get our files there.  2 other families from AAI were also sent.

So reading the groups and FB group - it sounds like a TON of families received this email - very much similar to all the crap with USCIS and USE last fall!  From some research from people it sounds like there were complaints to DC's head adoption guy and he called the Addis offices.  Instead of fixing the problem and getting work done - they just sent ALL these cases and dumped them on USCIS - get rid of the work to another agency!  We were all stuck in the mess.  Things are now delayed in my mind 6-10 weeks before we clear - if not longer!  The hope is that the majority will pass immediately upon review.  however, they could issue what is called an RFE - Request for Evidence - again where more crap hits the fan.  A full investigation is done  but YOU as the parent need to do it.  It can be done by your agency, yourself (yes flying and doing an investigation) or hiring an investigator over there!  Just crazy.  We can't afford all this.  Many people are doing this now before they even get sent anywhere.  Not sure if that's good or not - I just can't afford it.

So between that and all the other personal stuff going on - we are dealing with 3 different issues all at the same time!   I"m handling the stress pretty well - and meeting more families.

Good news - at least one family we traveled with cleared today  amen and congrats to Shelly and Michael!  we assume Connie and Rick passed as well - yeah!  Also my other friend Shannon and Mark got bad news from the ET judge - why are things SO hard.  And Sue - they had a referral and were waiting (and waiting) to hear about their son and the birth mom may have come back to get him?  just crazy.

So if you pray - please pray for the kids first -they deserve a safe home with food, and the basics.  Many are starving and struggling.  Then pray for all the families that love them so much! We all need prayers and positive thoughts.

Thanks for letting me ramble!
Gail