Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Kiev-Visa Problems

We did not take the train last night, it was full! So we left Ternopil at 5:30am this morning to take a mini bus to Kiev. The drive was about 5 1/2 hours. We slept for awhile this morning while driving. The sun was out and it was pleasant.

We arrived in Kiev and went to the American Consulate to make an appointment to submit our documents for visas for the children. We were informed that the children we have adopted do not meet the ages that were approved for by the USCIS office (office of immigration). She said that the visas would be approved only after an addendum was submitted by our home study agency to the USCIS office stating that we are approved by them to adopt children older than 8 years old. We had no way of knowing about this. It was hard, but I didn't burst into tears at the counter (even though I wanted to!). Then told Zenon and Valery. This began a series of phone calls to the US and within the US to see what can be done.

Once the addendum is faxed to the USCIS office, then it is a matter of time (days???weeks???) for them to notifiy the American Consulate in Kiev that this change is approved. Once that happens we can get their visas and go home.

Please pray for us while this is happening. There been lots of tears (by me) and prayer that this won't take very long. We would really like to use our plane tickets for Saturday!!

PS If you know of anyone who can help us, please let us know!

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Praying for you all... confident this can work out, may it be FAST!

Kevin and Tammy said...

Do you have a facilitator? Our agency has done several changes for other couples. Please let us know. I didn't know there was an age limit. I am going to check on this though.

Tammy

Anonymous said...

We will continue to keep you in our prayers. God has a plan!!

The Flying Eagle said...

Monique, I have seen many other couples do this change and it appears to be quick. Quicker if there is an INS office in your hometown and you can have someone hand deliver the homestudy, apostille, INS approval, and patiently wait for the phone call to be made. I am so sorry this is happening. I would have a word with your facilitator as this is a part of the process that he should have started after you requested a court date. Speedy resolution is our prayer for you. Take care and enjoy your little ones!

BridgetdSmith said...

Oh Monique SWEET friend I am SO very sorry for this snag!! I have been praying for God's DIVINE intervention...and I BELIEVE He CAN!!!WILL!

Praying that you REMIND yourself HOW VERY faith~FULL He Is!Was! And Will BE!

Rest in HIM...TELL Him your hurt( He already knows)and Let Him guide you!

Many hugs across the waters and a state away!! ~B

Vince , Shelly and Maddie said...

The U.S.C.I.S. office where you got your I-600A approved (I-171H)usually has a local phone number that handles international adoptions. (ours is Cleveland and is answered in the afternoons between 1 and 4). Go to
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=LO
punch in your zip code and the field office should pop up. Call the general office number and ask for the adoptions number.
Call that number and find out where your agency needs to fax your home study addenum and find out how long for them to get it to U.S. Embassy in Kiev.
Might save you some time.

Zack, Jenn and William said...

Praying for amazing speed in getting this taken care of.

Rachel said...

Praying for you! Don't worry, God loves those kids even more than you do!

Susan

Heidi and Felix said...

The 800# for USCIS is 1-800-375-5283. Praying for you to come home quick!

Ukranian Orphans