Lately, there have been extended dealys for in-process families waiting to receive their visa pre-approvals. So here are a few of the things being done as well as explanations for those of you wanting to take action...
Posted from the Big List with Permission from Hannah Wallace:
Dear Listmembers, I've been silent on this list for several months, but not
at all inactive. Right now I'm in Guatemala and trying to get a meeting with
Roy Hernandez regarding the systemic problems that the majority of people are
encountering with the Embassy in Guatemala. At the same time, Focus on
Adoption and the Joint Council on International Children's Services are attempting
to address the systemic issues as organizations. Back in March of 2001, INS
had a conference in Guatemala and many of the problems were resolved after that
conference. I think that there are solutions now to some of the problems,
but we need to advocate to get interest in resolution.
The problem is, and has been, primarily that the Embassy IS seriously
understaffed in relation to the crucial role they play in Guatemalan adoptions. In
trying to fulfill this expanded mandate in Guatemala (supervising the DNA
process, and pre-approving children for Visa status prior to the adoptions becoming
finalized). Furthermore, when the Congressional Delegation (Delahunt et al)
went to Guatemala, they went to investigate constituents complaints about
flawed and fraudulent adoption practices. There was also great concern about the
IAR situation, so the Embassy was really asked by Congressional leaders to step
up their investigations and maintain greater oversight over attorneys and
agency practices in Guatemala. However, there still have not been additional
officers assigned on a permanent basis to the Guatemalan BCIS post. For several
years, there have been attempts to deal with this by having officers from other
posts in the region assigned (usually month by month) to Guatemala, which
sometimes causes more problems than it solves, as they're inexperienced with the
Guatemalan process. Also what one of these temporary officers says one month,
may not be consistent with the next month.
Finally, because of the staff time problems, the Embassy has not been
receiving phone calls for many months. The only people who can really get through,
and sometimes not very quickly, are Congressional liaisons. While this frees up
their time to work on cases, it causes an incredible problem in resolving
problems when they come up. Simple misunderstandings, mistakes, etc. become
extenuated and resolution of simple problems is difficult.
I would suggest that families contact their Congressional Reps and the
Congressional Coalition on adoption to gain advocacy for solving the staffing
problems and communication problems at the Embassy -- the systemic problems. You may
want to refer to examples from your own situation, but your own situationis
multiplied by hundreds at a time and ARE the result of staffing problems. BCIS
officers need security clearance to be assigned to a post. Most officers who
have this security clearance have been assigned to "hotspots", esp. since
Sept 11. There may be budgetary considerations, which Congress can address, but
essentially the allocation of funds and officers has been made for Homeland
security above Citizenship Services.
For specific concerns about your own case, you should ask for your own
Congressional liaison to find out what is happening, and should ask for help around
specific situations. The more people who complain, the greater the chances of
being heard, especially if you address the more systemic issues.
Hannah Wallace, Adoptions International
President, Focus on Adoption: An Intercountry Adoption Advocacy Organization
Here are some e-mail addresses and websites that may come in handy:
1) Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute: info@ccainstitute.org
2) E-mail for the CIS “Ombudsman”: cisombudsman@dhs.gov
3) Finding your Representative: http://www.congress.org ....here you can find your congress person and ask him/her to write to Mr Cuddihy at Office of International Operations (CIS) and Mr.Mercier at Office of International Affairs(ICE)
Below is a drafted letter, courtesy of an Adoption Forum participant, that can be used:
Dear ______________,
I am writing to ask your help in whatever can be done to improve the adoption process from Guatemala, specifically the US Embassy VISA pre-approval step. After going through months of pulling together paperwork, including obtaining prior approval from the US Dept. of Homeland Security to adopt a child from Guatemala, US citizens are currently forced to wait again two more months in the middle of their adoption to get VISA pre-approval from the US Embassy.
These delays are recent (up to the beginning of May were taking the normal 2-3 week timeframe). However, in the past month they have only processed 3-4 days worth of DNA results and appear to be getting more and more behind each week. Communication with the US Embassy staff on this matter has become very difficult for families and the Embassy (DHS) has not posted any updates to why these recent delays are occurring. It should also be mentioned that the slowdown in this step is adversely affecting the rest of the adoption process - cases are routinely being kicked out of the Guatemalan Attorney General’s office (PGN) because they do not have VISA pre-approval, causing additional weeks of waits to reenter the system.
We are asking your help in contacting Joseph D. Cuddihy at the office of International Operations, Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), and Richard F. Mercier of the Office of International Affairs Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) requesting an increase in the staffing of CIS Adoption Unit in Guatemala.
If even a couple more staff members could be added to help with the flow of paperwork, perhaps adoptive families could be together sooner and the children would have much needed permanency.
Sincerely,
I am just sickened by the news that my best friend's awaited new baby /adoption may be delayed 2-3 more months. Do they not understand that this is a human being we are talking about????
It has been now 8 months or longer! I feel her pain everytime I hold and kiss my two kids and put them safely to bed!
Thank you for the info. I will pass it on today!!
Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!
Someone MUST try to advocate this process!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
How frustrating for all of the families still waiting to not be able to call the Embassy and see the status of their case. In late 2003, when we had a snag in our Visa approval, we were able to call the Embassy and speak directly to someone who could update us. They even returned a call to me within 30 minutes once. Having to wait for additional weeks or months due to an Embassy staffing problem is a tragedy.
Hopefully letters to our representatives can help with the Embassy staffing problem.
Posted by: Rick at July 21, 2004 06:12 PMWe have been waiting on our little girl for 20 months. Even though it is hard, please remember that the children coming home don't know that they are waiting on us. We spent three weeks in a private home before we brought our son home and he was happy and well adjusted with his foster family and still wonderful today. They will come home and life will be more than you ever expected.
We have been waiting on our little girl for 20 months. Even though it is hard, please remember that the children coming home don't know that they are waiting on us. We spent three weeks in a private home before we brought our son home and he was happy and well adjusted with his foster family and still wonderful today. They will come home and life will be more than you ever expected.
Hi, I just received pre-approval on 7/21/04. My info was submitted on 6/16/04. So there is hope that it isn't taking months and months for pre-approval....
Best Wishes
Posted by: Angela at July 27, 2004 03:54 PMI appreciate Wendy's comments. We are hoping to travel for our 10 yr old daughter within a few months, our third Guatemalan adoption. Our boys were both 4yrs old when they came home two years apart. We also have a daughter through US adoption and three biological children. We already know the joys (and challenges)of parenting, so I do sympathize with those waiting to become first time parents. Though it's hard to wait while the "powers that be" handle the paperwork at that end, I belive it's important to focus on the blessings that will one day be ours...long after the long wait is forgotten. Rather than being angry at the length of the process or assuming the people at the other end don't care about children, we can choose to believe they're wanting to do things right, to be certain such important legal matters as a child's guardianship are handled accurately and that the child has come into the system honestly. Also, as has been suggested, the Embassy is probably short-staffed, with other work to be done during a work day, besides our child's paperwork. If you saw the long line of nationals going around the block and down the street at the Embassy, all waiting their turn at a chance for a visa as we Americans walk right in for our appointments, you might be humbled as we were at the contrast between our privileges and their struggles. As Americans, we're used to "fast food", high speed internet, a fast paced society. We run the risk of sounding "spoiled" or demanding when we expect our child to be "delivered" at our convenience, on our own schedule, according to our own wishes. We don't "deserve" to be parents. It's a gift and a honor, indeed. To those waiting, hang in there. We've been there and are there now. Be assured that if you've worked with a reputable agency and/or lawyer, your child will indeed come into your life and fill it with unbelievable joy...no matter what their age! Reputable agencies and lawyers work with loving foster families and orphanages, where your child is experiencing their native culture for the last time. Children are loved and valued in Guatemala. Circumstances have occured that require a birthmother in another culture to ask for help. That our circumstances provide us the opportunity to parent her child should humble us. And yes, we may have missed a few precious months or even years of that beautiful child's life...but the miracle is that they could ever be ours in the first place.
Posted by: Nancy at July 27, 2004 10:03 PMOur daughter Merlin Elizabeth Martinez Cabarello will not come home to us after 20 months of waiting. Our attorney is Aida Calderon and our daughter was an abandonment case as it turned out. Please pray for her and her future. We feel great sadness.
Posted by: wendy griffin at August 2, 2004 12:34 AMWendy -
I'm sad to read your news. You don't say why she will not be coming home to you. Your family and Merlin will be in our prayers.
B
Posted by: BiBi at August 2, 2004 06:55 PMWe have been waiting for our little girl for approximately 10 months (she was supposed to be ready at 7 months and now is 17 months). We visited her in Guatemala for the first time this past June, and she is absolutely gorgeous, and well-adjusted...she is in a wonderful foster home. Our attorney, who spent much time with us, assures us that we will have final approval in a few weeks. We are hopeful. We do work with a reputable agency. We went through the disappointments with the American Embassy and the Hague situation, and FINALLY got pre-approved by emailing the Embassy and detailing our situation and PLEADING with them to review our case and send it on to PGN. I sent them 3 emails, and it worked. Now we are waiting in PGN! We KNOW that we are not alone, and we empathize with all of you! We are all anxious to have our little ones home.
Posted by: Caren and Jim at August 7, 2004 07:44 PMWe heard from the embassy on pre-approval of our little guy in June. They said they received our info My 28th and it usually takes one month or so. It is now August 8th and we still have no pre-approval. I have e-mailed them several times and have contacted our congressmen. We prayfully await our little 3 year old boy.
Posted by: Tracy at August 8, 2004 07:40 PMHello;
Once we have received official notification of pre-approval from the U.S. Embassy, is there a usual time until a court date?
Bill and Barbara
Posted by: barbara muth at August 23, 2004 12:39 AM