INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION PROCESSING – THE DECISIONS

1. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION PROCESSING – THE DECISIONS HOW CHIFF STREAMLINES AND CLARIFIES ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2. Months or years going by CHILD ALONE Embassy still disagrees and refuses to issue visa. Returns case again to USCIS Embassy conducts investigation and returns to USCIS with concerns ADOPTION CASE PING PONG DEPT. OF STATE Endless feedback loop while the two agencies struggle… USCIS confirms previous decision and returns the petition to the Embassy for visa Adjudicates petition on behalf of child and forwards approvals to Embassy overseas Based on concerns, USCIS issues a request for evidence to the parents Adjudicates suitability application for parents USCIS THE RESULT: Parents left in the dark and a child suffering and alone… After matched with a child, prepares and files immigration petition for that child ADOPTIVE PARENTS Parents gather required additional information or evidence and submit Prepares and files application for suitability to adopt

3. Months or years going by CHILD ALONE ORPHAN CASE BLOCKING by DOS Embassy has concerns about the case and puts it in the pile for “field investigation” when they can get to it DEPT. OF STATE USCIS, which has ultimate jurisdiction, is unaware of the case b/c it was filed with DOS. Adjudicates suitability application for parents USCIS THE RESULT: 6 months of a year go by. The child waits. The family can’t get any information and USCIS can’t help. After matched with a child, prepares and files immigration petition for that child at Embassy overseas with DOS (USCIS not there). ADOPTIVE PARENTS Prepares and files application for suitability to adopt • Examples of where this happens a lot: • Ethiopia • DRC • Haiti • Uganda Parents keep asking Embassy for updates only to hear that the case is “pending investigation”

4. Months or years going by CHILD ALONE HAGUE COUNTRY BLOCKING by DOS Embassy consults with other Central Authority, which says the adoption is legal but not a Hague adoption. Embassy refuses to issue certification. Case is stuck. DEPT. OF STATE Adjudicates petition for child and forwards to U.S. Embassy for certifications and visa issuance Adjudicates suitability application for parents USCIS Parents keep asking Embassy for assistance in finding a solution. DOS tells family only option is to live abroad for 2 years with the child. THE RESULT: Years go by. The family remains separated. The family can’t get any help or relief. After matched with a child, parents complete a domestic adoption b/c one is a dual national of the child’s country of origin. They then prepare and file immigration petition for that child. ADOPTIVE PARENTS Prepares and files application for suitability to adopt • Examples of where this happens: • Peru • Bolivia • Mexico

5. 6 – 9 months CHILD ALONE Embassy responds to USCIS requests for information or investigation THE CHIFF MODEL Embassy’s role is to process the immigrant visa application based on the approved petition. DEPT. OF STATE Seeks any needed input from USCIS overseas office or Embassy. Adjudicates petition on behalf of child and forwards approvals to Embassy overseas If necessary, USCIS issues a request for evidence to the parents USCIS makes final decision and sends the petition to the Embassy for visa processing Adjudicates suitability application for parents USCIS THE RESULT: A child joins a family through a streamlined, effective process. Less time. More joy. After matched with a child, prepares and files immigration petition for that child Parents gather required additional information or evidence and submit ADOPTIVE PARENTS Prepares and files application for suitability to adopt