Still pretty quiet, and the accreditation thing
An agency reports that the CCAA will be closed for the entire month of August. Other agencies are still reporting they will not close.
There is nothing (nada, zilch) out there about a cut off date.
As for the question about those who are with an agency that is not accredited, supposedly those agencies should be able to complete adoptions started before the Hague took effect. That appears to be the intention of the Hague wording, that adoptions already in progress should be able to reach completion.
My big question right now though, is that it looks like once a family has gone through two I-171H time periods that they will have to file for the new I-800A, and there is speculation that it would then turn into a Hague case. That would be the US putting a kink in the chain though, and not the CCAA.
As for what the CCAA’s intentions are, I don’t see them going against what the Hague has to say. Also, looking at it from a practical standpoint, they don’t like media attention, and having families who have been waiting for years suddenly out in the cold through no fault of their own… yeah, that’ll create media attention. I think they will find another solution.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
My agency said that once you receive your free renewal that the next time you file you have to use the 1800A. I just missed the chance for the free renewal last time (Thank Goodness!) so I can file a 1600A for a third time.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
You know, when the Olympics were held in Atlanta in 1996 and again in Salt Lake City 2002, *I* didn’t get any time off from my job.
I’m just sayin’.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
As far as I know, if your I-171H has expired then you will be moved to a different agency that has Hague approval. If it has NOT expired you will continue with your non Hague agency.
Thats what I have been told. However, I don’t know what happens when the 3rd I- 171H expires.
My head is wrecked with all this!!!
July 30th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
It is my understanding that we can keep using the I-600a AS LONG as we don’t let it expire. I would be in BIG trouble if this is not the case. Can someone confirm?
July 30th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
OK, I got a bit nervous so I referred back to some old documentation I kept on file. Hope this helps.
13. What if my fingerprint check approval or I-600A approval expires after the Hague Adoption Convention entered into force with respect to the United States?
The Hague status of a case (indicating whether a case is processed according to the Hague) is not affected if an I-600A expires after the Convention entered into force with respect to the United States provided that USCIS extends the approval of the I-600A before the approval of the I-600A expires. If USCIS extends the approval of an I-600A that was filed before the Convention entered into force with respect to the United States, the prospective adoptive parent(s) will also be able to file an I-600 after the Convention entered into force without changing the Hague status of the case.
Prospective adoptive parent(s) may be re-fingerprinted as often as needed to keep the clearance current without changing the Hague status of the case. Unlike an I-600A or I-600, a fingerprint check does not “open” an adoption case, or begin an application or petition process. Should a fingerprint clearance expire after the Convention entered into force with respect to the United States and while the I-600A or I-600 are valid, the prospective adoptive parent(s) need only submit a request for a new fingerprint clearance in order to continue processing the adoption case under the U.S. immigration regulations for orphan adoptions in effect at the time the case was filed.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I am in the same boat as Luna. We were unable to take advantage of the free renewal of the I-171-H almost eighteen months ago because it hadn’t taken effect yet. Now, this time around, we can file our third I-600A with the free extension. Crazy but better than beginning over with the I-800A so I hear. So close yet still so far away.
LID 2/28/06
July 30th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Maybe all the quiet on rumors/cut-off dates, etc. is the CALM BEFORE THE STORM! Maybe, just maybe, there will be HUGE batch of referrals . . . especially if the CCAA shut down rumor is true! At least one can hope!
July 30th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
lgm,I would suggest contacting your agency and see what they say. My large China only agency said that you cannot continue to file the 1600A form after you receive your free extension (even if you never let your paperwork expire). I’m concerned by their use of the word “extends” in what you stated above. I wonder if they’re referring to the free extension?
July 30th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I asked our local agency rep about whether you have to go I-800 after the free renewal. She forwarded to me the email response she got from the Orlando USCIS office, which said you remain under I-600 as long as nothing expires, even after you use your free renewal. If I still have it, I’ll send it to RQ. If other USCIS offices are saying different, then there is not consistency in the process.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I just looked at that email again, and it also says that if you have to go to I-800 before anything expires, then that is a ADOPTIVE COUNTRY requirement (i.e. China), not a U.S. requirement.
July 30th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I spoke with my agency as well about the I600 and what they told me was what everyone else has said. As long as the form does not expire then you can still file the I-600A. Our I171 expires November 25th so as long as we do not let it expire then we can file the I600A. I was also in the same boat as someone else here. Our first I600A had to be renewed one month before they put the fee increase (and fee waiver) into place. We paid for our second I600A but now we can get this one for free. We are now close enough so that I am not worrying about a 4th one. We have an LID of 2/17/06
July 30th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
For what it’s worth, my smaller China-only agency is saying ok to continue renewing with the I-600 indefinitely so long as we don’t let it expire, and they will let us know if it changes. Based on that, we decided to do the free renewal (yeah, free, but still a hassle and the costs associated with the homestudy update) even though I know this one will expire long before we get a referral. Interesting to see what happens. Thanks, as always, to RQ for keeping us informed!
July 30th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I have just come off the phone from an agency that has Hague approval. They state that if you have had TWO I-171H then you have to do the I-800. This is definitely true for people who are with non approved agencies.
July 30th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Just wanted to know if there are many people out there with agencies that did not get approval? I feel like its just me!!!!
July 30th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Emily2001–I tried to send you a PM to get a copy of your e-mail from the orlando uscis office. I’m in jacksonville and would love a copy to use with my office to persuade them to let me stay under the I600 process. I think these things are going to boil down to an office by office decision, at least in the short run.
July 30th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I spoke to my agency yesterday afternoon and they said that they ARE expecting referrals before the Olympics, but wouldn’t rule out that they could arrive the first week of the Olympics.
July 30th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Shamrock, I am with an agency that did not get approval. I sent in our free I600A a few weeks ago. Ours expires august third. My agency keeps telling us they are still trying to get accredited and if that should fail they have something working with another agency so our adoptions will not be interrupted. Time will tell. I am quite stressed about it all. I hope and pray it will continue smoothly.
July 30th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
What a headache!! Our local HS provider says we can re-new multiple times w/ the I-600a until the adoption is complete. Another friend’s SW is saying no, must switch to I-800a. And they are both claiming it is what the local USCIS office (the same office!) is telling them!
AND, for any Americans thinking of adopting while living overseas, right now it is virtually impossible to do so if you have to file the I-800a. We are thinking of an international assignment, but are worried that we couldn’t complete the adoption due to the SW not being able to do the HS update. I hope all of this gets straightened out soon…..all this mis-information is just maddening!
July 30th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Shamrock, I am with an agency that did not get approval. I sent in our free I600A a few weeks ago. Ours expires august third. My agency keeps telling us they are still trying to get accredited and if that should fail they have something working with another agency so our adoptions will not be interrupted. Time will tell. I am quite stressed about it all.
July 30th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
susiee,
I can sympathize. With our second renewal, our HS provider told us to send the updated homestudy and the form. The USCIS office said no, just send a letter requesting a renewal with the original approval number. I listened to them, got it back in the mail with a whole long list of things that needed to be included (marriage certificate, birth certificates, passport copies). What a pain!
July 30th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Boy…what a mess.
July 30th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Shamrock – my agency didn’t get a Hague approval either. We are waiting for an update from them any time now….are they going to be able to finish us out since we were logged in prior to the new regs OR will we have to be transferred to another approved agency. I’m praying we can continue w/them. Keep the faith!
July 30th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
For those of you doing the free extension, are you just filing the I-600A a couple weeks before it expires AND waiting one year to send in the HS in order to get another year?
I agree with many of the comments, the non consistent information is frustrating!
July 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
lgm- no. Our USCIS office wants our request (cover letter) and we MUST have our HS update sent to them within 30 days or they will deny our extension. We started the contact w/ the SW 3 months before our 171H expires.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Oh that stinks. I wonder if it varies by state. I believe I learned of this trick from some folks in California.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Hi,
Due to circumstances beyond our control our 171-H form did expire and I was so upset but in the end it was okay because even if your 171-H form expires you do not lose your place in the adoption wait. I was advised that given the wait we should take our time that way when we did do the I-800 it would not expire and that should be the last time (hopefully).
I am now in the process of doing our homestudy again and at the same time the I-800A.
LID 3-22-06
July 30th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Shamrock – no, it’s not just you…our agency has been denied approval twice now. It makes me very nervous.
The differences in responses from various USCIS offices is frustrating. We have a local China adoption support group and within our group the USCIS office has given different responses to the same question. It seems as if it depends as to each person within the office.
We got our letter in to the USCIS office to stay out of Hauge requirements, but haven’t finished the updated homestudy yet. So far it seems to be okay that we haven’t done all the paperwork yet.
We just keep hanging in there, 2+ years and counting!
July 30th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
The agency I am with did not get approval. We were told (with about two weeks notice) that we had to get the renewal process started by the first of April.
However, they assured us, they had been very proactive in getting all their ducks in a row to get through the appeals process and come out the other side with approval.
At any rate, we decided not to renew at that time. Mostly because of the added expense (I’m not sure why nobody in the office mentioned the free extension) and because we’d likely have to do it again.
Anyway, they just had their appeal and still didn’t get accredited. I won’t get into the particulars, but suffice to say I’m not especially happy. The last email I received said a new appeal could take a year or more.
At least our LID isn’t until 6/13, so we have a little time to wait.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:06 am
fjm-
I’m up here in Jax too. Are you part of the local FCC group? There is a great community here. Send me an email. There is a contact button on my site.
Laureen
http://www.babysites.com/sites/laureenmary
July 31st, 2008 at 8:27 am
I am worried about the post on the forum where people who have been approved through the I800A are being denied Consulate appointments in China because China still considers them pre-Hague but the US considers the adoptions subject to Hague due to use of the I800 – and there are different paperwork requirements. Has anyone heard how this will be resolved?
July 31st, 2008 at 9:10 am
lgm, yes, that is what we did. I hope it works! It looks like the Atlanta office is taking a couple of months to process, so I won’t start worrying until we hit the 3 month mark (or receive something saying we’re denied).
I don’t mind letting ours expire and going to the I800A when we get closer to a referral (LID 06Apr07), but our agency has not received Hague approval and they really pressured me to renew. They too say that they are working with a Hague approved agency in case they are not approved.
My big question is, Does it matter if we don’t have a current I171H or I800 when we go through review?
July 31st, 2008 at 6:50 pm
FYI..I found this on a chinese web site..looks like they will be OPEN for processing…
New Working Hours For Beijing During Olympics
July 21, 2008
Beijing Municipal Government has issued a notice on staggering working hours in the capital city during the Beijing Olympic Games to ease traffic pressure, and they went into effect on July 20, 2008.
According to the notice, from July 20 to September 20, working hours of state-owned enterprises in Beijing will be adjusted to 09:00 and 17:00. Large department stores and shopping centers will open at 10:00 and be able to close later than normal, though the exact times have not been specified. Other institutions and social organizations will start work at 09:00 and be off at 17:30.
In addition, working online and flexible working hours have been encouraged.
Working hours of Beijing municipal party committees of all levels, the government and its subordinates, municipal people’s congresses and CPPCCs at all levels, schools, departments and organizations providing essential services will remain unchanged.