I THINK WE WON

First off I want to thank everyone who signed the petition...you don't know what that means to us...Thank you!

I just received the following e-mail from my adoption agency and it looks like we will be grandfathered with our immigration paperwork, but the way that I'm reading the letter is that because we have already had our one free extension, that we can pay for one more extension and if our adoption is not completed before 2014 then we are out of luck, we have to file the new I-800 immigration approval.

Call me crazy, but is this good or bad? I don't know...to be told in 6 months that we are not now eligible or a year and a half from now?? Let's just pray that Alison is home before 2014 and we can let the nightmare just fade away.

Here is the letter:

Joint Council Update
Program International Relations Initiative
Date October 14, 2008
Regarding I-600A Renewals

Dear Colleagues,

After advocating on behalf of adoptive families for the past 6 months, Joint Council is very pleased to confirm that USCIS has formally announced on their website a very positive ruling concerning the I-600A process.

In summary, it is our understanding that, effective immediately, families who filed Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, prior to April 1, 2008 and whose USCIS approval of that petition (aka the I-171H) has not expired, will be able to proceed with their adoption under the I-600A process if they take certain steps while their approval remain valid. This means that families with valid Form I-600A approvals will not be required to transition to The Hague process via Form I-800A. In order to maintain their status as ‘grandfathered’ cases, families with non-expired Form I-600A approvals must request a one-time free extension. Then, prior to the expiration of the one-time free extension, families must file a new Form I-600A and pay the appropriate fee. Families with a Form I-600A approval that has expired and who have not obtained an extension or filed a new Form I-600A, will need to undertake the Hague process.

It is also our understanding that the extension and subsequent filing of a new I-600A may only be completed once. Families who have not completed their adoption prior to 2014 will be required to undertake the Hague process.

On behalf of over 10,000 adoptive families and Joint Council Member Organizations, Joint Council extends its appreciation to the following individuals and organizations for their tireless efforts.

· Diane Kunz, Executive Director of the Center for Adoption Policy

· Dianne Pearce, Waiting Parent and Co-Organizer of the Fairness for Families Petition

· Debbie Reynolds, Joint Council China Caucus Co-Chairperson

· Kathleen Strottman, Executive Director of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute

· David Yurkovich, Waiting Parent and Co-Organizer of the Fairness for Families Petition

· Members of the United States Congress

· United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

We offer our collective congratulations to everyone who participated in the Joint Council Call-To-Action and the Adoption for All: Fairness for Families petition. And we also send our congratulations to all who participated in the countless meetings, conference calls and emails over the past 6-months. Joint Council is built on a principle of collaboration and this very successful effort clearly demonstrates this principle in action. Our collective voice is definitely stronger than any singular organization or individual.

Joint Council notes that our interpretation of the ruling is offered as a courtesy only and should not be used in making determinations or decisions. Please refer to the full text of the announcements by USCIS which can be found at USCIS Announcement and USCIS Q&A in making any decisions.

Joint Council will provide more specifics as they become available and asks you to visit our website for the latest news and updates.

Sincerely,
Tom

TOM DIFILIPO | President & CEO | Joint Council