New News

We received an email on Saturday from our agency.  Here is what it said.

We are awaiting the translation of the final adoption decree and other necessary documents that USCIS must have before they can approve your I-600 application. Your translations will begin next week, but I'm not sure when we can expect them.

Once the translations are completed, Kelitta will turn in the remainder of the documents requested by USCIS to approve your I-600.

The only possible catch we are aware of at this time is that Jimmy's birth mother's death certificate does not have an extract (official Haitian certification). There is a good possibility that USCIS will accept the death certificate that is in our possession for the I-600, however, I am trying to get an estimate from Robert on what it would entail to get the extract completed through a judgment in court in terms of time and cost. Once I hear back from him on that, I will let you know. The judgment is expected to take three weeks to complete, so it will delay the process for you if USCIS does request it. One question I have for you, if, depending on the cost, you want to move forward with Robert's team trying to receive the judgment in the meantime so as to not lose time waiting to see if USCIS requests it or not. It is certainly your choice, and I know finances will be a factor, but I guess I just wanted you to think about it now so that you have explored all your options.

At this point I don't have a timeline of how long to expect once all the documents are submitted to USCIS and the I-600 is approved. However, once approved, you will receive an email from USCIS stating that your I-600 has been approved and has moved over to the Adoptions Unit at the Consulate. 
After a few business days, you should then hear from the Adoptions Unit at the Embassy requesting a visa appointment for Jimmy. The Haiti team represents you at the visa appointment. After the visa appointment, then it may be as long as five days before IBESR issues the letter allowing Jimmy to leave the country with you. Only after the IBESR travel letter is issued are families asked to travel for the pick up trip.

 

So, that is the new news.  Not great news, but at least it's news.  We will also need to send two payments with the paperwork we are to provide. One is for his visa and all the necessary things that go with that.  The other is our final payment to the agency.  I am stressed about making these payments as well as if we need or choose to get the extract for his mother's death certificate.  Up to this point, we have been able to pay for everything without borrowing money.  Whether it was out of our pocket, fundraisers, donations or work; we have been able to write a check for all the expenses.  I know God is going to provide what we need this time as well.  It is just hard not to think about it and stress.  (For those of you interested, it will be $540 for the visa and $2000 for the agency.)

Please pray for us as these last steps are completed.  Pray for us to find a way to earn the money and make the payments as soon as possible.  Also, pray for the wait.  Jimmy is so patient and understanding.  There is a peace between all of us that is only explained as the Spirit.  We appreciate everyone's kind words and prayers.