I have had many people tell me that they wished there was something they could do to help. I want you to know that your prayers are the most helpful. God hears you and He is still sovereign over this situation. We don't know what He will do with our daughter's visa specifically, but we continue to sense that He wants us to keep pushing our senators and those in USCIS in order for reform to happen for the children that come behind our daughter.
We know that our daughter's file is stuck right now, along with 60 other children's case files from many other agencies, in Addis. We are waiting for a team of CIS officers to come and navigate through the mess that was created. The team is arriving on November 7th. We know nothing more nor how long this process will take. We don't know how long visa interviews are scheduled out either. We are praying for these officers to work speedily through these files and we are praying for a visa interview date before Thanksgiving. I would never have thought this back in August, but that would be considered a miracle now. What a wonderful event to be thankful for on November 24th!. Could you please join us in this prayer?
Despite all the efforts that have been made by our family and the other 60 families, it looks as thought this is as good as it gets. The problem is that this team of CIS officers coming to Addis was planned before senators and congressmen were contacted. So, basically, our legislators have done nothing or were able to do nothing to help us. I wish I could tell you otherwise. I do want to put a shout out to Kerry Byrne from Congressman Dan Burton's office. Congressman Burton does not have authority to put pressure on anyone in the State Department (which is the office that governs the Embassies). But, this woman was the first person to contact the US Embassy in Addis on our behalf and find out that our daughter's file was not going to Nairobi (although no email nor notice from the embassy has been given to us stating this). Kerry continues to send me information and even listened in on a teleconference between the USCIS and adoptive parents when I could not.
The senators, I have been told, are the ones who could do something about this situation. I waited 2 weeks for a senior adviser to call me and I am still waiting for them to do something. At this point we are feeling that God wants us to be the voice of the orphaned children, who of no fault of their own, are alone and without families to love them. Our daughter is no longer an orphan, but right now she would not know any differently. Would you be willing to be their voice also? If so, please pray about sending letters and emails to our senator and to yours. Below is a sample letter with possible bullet points that can be useful. If possible, please try and write it in your own words and not just copy and paste. At the bottom of this blog I have posted our senator's information and some other resources for you to contact as well as a way to look up your own law makers.
To Whom It May Concern,
It has come to our attention that many U.S. adoptions from Ethiopia are being significantly delayed by the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa. They are currently forwarding cases with “insufficient evidence” to USCIS in Nairobi, Kenya. I believe this is all in an effort to force reform in the system and insure the safety of the children. Unfortunately the way this is being carried out is only hurting the children it was meant to protect.
There are several significant problems with what is happening:
• For reform to happen it needs to start at the beginning of the process. It needs to start at referral. All entities need to be on the same page: Ethiopian Police, Orphanages, Agencies, MOWA, Ethiopian Courts, and the U.S. Embassy. Reform cannot start at the end of the process when everything is final.
• The U.S. Embassy is placing new demands on these cases. They are expecting new information that has never been needed before. They are not being consistent and their demands seem to change daily leaving the agencies and parents completely in the dark. In order for reform to be successful a protocol needs to be in place prior to changing the rules.
• Ethiopian courts have already reviewed the files, asked for additional information when needed, and declared there to be sufficient evidence. By the time the U.S. Embassy is involved, the adoptive parents are the legal parent of the child under Ethiopian law. The parents have appeared in court in Ethiopia and are asked if they understand that the adoption is final and irrevocable.
• USCIS is aware of the problem. However, they will not have a team in place to assist the multiple families waiting until early-to-mid November. Most of these children have already been waiting months since their parents appeared in court.
- Thank you so much for taking the time to consider this situation and acting on behalf of the children and their adoptive parents. The USCIS team needs to move quickly to Addis Ababa to review these cases and reunite these families. Thank you for your time.
- Provide your own experience with the USE if you have any. Be detailed!
• The number of families is growing daily.
- Our children are suffering needlessly in orphanages, away from the loving families who are committed to loving them forever. These delays will result in additional emotional, physical and learning delays.
Tips for writing government officials
• Be respectful. (Calling them ninnies will not help the cause.)
• Say thank you.
• Write in bullet points. It’s easier to read and to cut and paste into Congressional Inquiries and other government communications.)
WHO TO CONTACT
Senator Lendrieu’s (D-LA)
Senator Lendrieu is an adoption advocate and works hard on behalf of orphans around the world. The staffer in her office handling all the complaints is Libby Whitbeck.
Libby_Whitbeck@landrieu.senate.gov
Her phone number is 202.224.1949
USCIS
Wally Bird is the guy in charge of getting the team in place. He is kind and respectful and was caught by surprise by these developments. He’s working hard. He’s been good to the APs who have contacted him.
John “Wally” Bird
Deputy Chief, International Operations
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
Department of Homeland Security
202-272-1325
Indiana: Senator Richard Lugar
Attn: Susan Broullette
1180 Market Tower
10 West Market Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 226-5555 P
(317) 226-5508 f
10 West Market Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 226-5555 P
(317) 226-5508 f
Washington DC: Senator Richard Lugar
Attn: Paul Foldi
Your lawmakers in Washington DC
To find your Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/fm.cfm
To find your Congressmen/women:
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