We've been waiting on our appointment time and date to get re-fingerprinted because our fingerprints expired on July 30, 2010. Let me try to explain exactly what that is, for those of you who don't know. At this point, I can't remember if our agency or the government requires us to have fingerprints done......hmmmm, it's been so long I'm not really sure now! I think it's for the government, because the FBI has to check our record to see if we have "anything" on our record! (Which we don't!) Anywho, the first time we got fingerprinted, it was weird to say the least. It was back in October of 2007, we went to some small office out in Nashville. We went in with our appointment paper and signed in. Waited a while, then we were called. We went into another room with these big machines. The people taking the fingerprints would take one finger at a time and roll it over a small screen on this big machine, digital images, kind of neat. The lady had to do a few of mine two or three times. Then some guy came by, looked at them and okayed them. Mike's process was the same. They signed/stamped our "paper" then told us we're done. I almost felt like we were criminals lol! Weird I tell ya!
Since this was so long ago, I checked my binder that has all our important adoption "stuff" in it. I just looked back at our original (2007) notice to be fingerprinted from the U S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). We were first fingerprinted on October 27, 2007. Our fingerprints were in connection with the government form - I-600A (Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition). One of the first documents we had to be approved for. It's a form the government looks at after they've checked our fingerprints with the FBI to make sure we're not terrorists - and I do NOT say that lightly! After our record showed clear, and they did whatever else it is that they had to do, they sent us an approved I-600A. This approval came in the form I-171H. The I-600A form is "good" for 18 months. It basically said, yes you can start your process to adopt a child internationally - THANKS government, glad we have your approval! :)
If during that 18 months, we had not completed our adoption, the form expired and we would have to submit it again. Which we did. Also, keep in mind each time you submit your I-600A for renewal it's not free, they want money to process it! Thanks again government!
Now back to the fingerprints. When we were fingerprinted in Oct 2007, we had 15 months until THEY expired. If we had not completed our adoption in that time, we would have to send a letter to USCIS requesting to be re-fingerprinted., which we did. Then they would send us another letter with an appointment time and date to appear at the "fingerprinting place" which they did. So we went and had our fingerprints taken, again. WHEW!
Now up to July 30, 2010. Our fingerprints expired, yet again! So on August 1st 2010, I sent our official letter stating we were requesting to be re-fingerprinted to our Social Worker (so she could send it in) and a check for the amount to process it - THANKS again government! I have waited and waited and waited for that appointment time and date form. Last week I sent our Social Worker and email asking exactly when she sent it to USCIS. She answered and said she sent it on Aug 3rd. OOOOOkkkkkaaayyyyy, that was almost a month ago. Is the government that slow on simple processing? (Yes - stupid question huh?!) I checked and the bank stated that the check posted on Aug 6th! Ummmmm HELLO!?! You collected payment a month ago and haven't sent notice yet?!?!?! Don't ya just love the government?
So, I sent an email last week stating all the info I was told to submit to USCIS and asked what our status was as far as getting re-fingerprinted?!? No response for a week! I was very patient during that month of waiting, really I was. I said to myself, I'm not going to pester them, I'm going to wait for our paper to arrive and we'll go get our fingerprints and this will not hold us up at all! Well, a month is all I'll wait. After getting no where with the girl on the phone at USCIS (she's the one I talked to that said, send an email with "this" information and they will answer you), I decided to email our Social Worker, knowing there was nothing she could do. She answered me back the next day and said, "I got in touch with USCIS that's handling your case and you should be receiving your appointment time in a few days." OMGosh, thank you Hallie (our Social Worker)!!!!
Here I am, waiting on that appointment sheet from the USCIS..........again.
I don't write all the detail to bore you. Just trying to give you some idea as to what is involved in this process. We started our adoption journey in March 2007. It is now September 2010. That's a long time to keep your heart and your feelings on hold!
Aiden, we are going through so much to get you home with us. Each little thing is accomplished and we're another step closer to you. I had a dream about you last night. You were so close but so far away. I could see you, but I couldn't touch you. I can't wait till I can see you and hold you! : )
