Tuesday, July 24, 2007

WTF?

You know most people would not be too alarmed about receiving a big brown envelope in the mail from Homeland Security. Of course most people probably didn't experience what we did either over a year ago trying desperately just to bring our little girls home. After all we were in the PRC and we weren't going anywhere until some questions were answered and to their satisfaciton. I still break out in a sweat even talking about it. Another day, another story.... So, yes, we(still) get a little uneasy about receiving anything in the mail with Homeland Security plastered all over it even after so much time has passed. Over a year. I haven't forgotten. But we (yes, both of us) were a little more than upset yesterday when we received a formal document from Homeland Security along with our dossier. The document stated: This home study is being returned to you because eighteen (18) months or more have elapsed since the date of completion of advanced processing. Your approval has now expired. Are they for real?! If you are interested in pursuing an international adoption, you will need to file a new form I-600A with the appropriate fee. What the flipity flip? Please note that as of July 30, 2007 a new fee schedule will be effective and the filing fee has changed. And? Please see the http://www.uscis.gov/ website for more information......
Sincerely,
Adoptions Unit (no name-naturally)
District #7
Fairfax,VA
fuckity, fuck, fuck. AND our government wonders why we question everything they do. They have no system in place or an adequate process........Obviously big, big holes in the system. no, earthquakes. Typhoons! Further more they have not idea (obviously) that:
  1. We've been to China They should, they issued our visas! and back......
  2. We adopted twins. Cleared customs in Chicago with the little monsters-- (yes, monsters they had not slept in over 36 hours--monsters)does this not get entered into a big data base... hmmmm, it's not to difficult for immigrants either I'm guessing.

  3. We've been home about 16 months... Again, where is the security here.

  4. We are in the process of re-adoption. Someone please help me understand this.

Has anyone else received anything like this? Crazy shit man.


24 comments:

M and M said...

Wow - the is REALLY odd. I don't know the whole system down there in the States, but it seems awfully peculiar...

redmaryjanes said...

So essentially they are clueless...We just started the process, so we have only received the initial brown envelope stating our paperwork is in our embassy in China.

RamblingMother said...

I have heard of it but it doesn't mean anything. Did you not get a brown envelope before traveling? Someone got "that" envelope after returning home too. DOesn't surprise me. You have the girls COCs so you are fine. It is a little freaky but fine.

Bev

aimeeg said...

Very bizarre.

Jewels of My Heart said...

I would have FREAKED! After going under the microscope and being checked out by the FBI for both of our children you get a little nervous and defensive when any thing at all is not quite right... Thank goodness you know all is well and it was just a blunder on their part... hooray it was after the fact and not before it!

dawn said...

I get freaked out by homeland security. When we fly back from the UK we are purposely flying into Massachusetts because in MIA they are just mean.( I am not a US citizen and they just love that)

Just a hiccup, yet again, on their behalf. Try to stay calm.

"M2" said...

doesn't surprise me in the SLIGHTEST.

Sophie's Mom said...

Did you get their certificate of citizenship yet, and letter from the President?

If you have that, I would laugh and throw it away. Probably something some computer automatically spit out because someone didn't check off a box somewhere. I'm sure if you actually get in touch with someone, they will tell you to disregard it. You know, like when you pay a bill 2 days late and you get the 'late notice' that says... 'if you've already paid this.. please disregard'?

We didn't and aren't going to re-adopt here in the states. My understanding is it will give them a US birth certificate, and they weren't 'born' here, so I didn't feel it necessary. Otherwise they're fine, right?

Donna Paonessa said...

VERY strange. Governments everywhere seem to like "make-work projects"....justifies their big fat salaries.

Diana said...

Sorry, no help here, I am CANADIAN so everything is very different for us. Just sounds like bureacratic bullshit to me.

Elizabeth said...

Left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing.
Whoa. That is real trippy.

Nikki said...

I'm so sorry...I hope you get some answers right quick!!!!

Jeff and Valerie said...

Yikes! I'd be p'od too.

I have fears about starting this process again.

Steffie B. said...

Sorry friend....I have NO CLUE. We have NOT experienced anything like this. I'd call your adoption agency for some suggestions.

mommy24treasures said...

I have adopted 3X and never got anything like that, but if you have their COC's I would just ignore it. Don't get me started on the ludicrous system, its soo useless and nothing but jumping through hoops, irritating, and none of it works together. ugh.

Lauren and Ed said...

Unbelievable...actually it is believable! I am dying to hear your story about what happened in China!!!!

J said...

I wouldn't put anything past the government bureaucracy... at one point, our daughter's file was held for weeks on end as part of a new security measure because well, you know those 10 month olds from China are a dire security risk to us!!lol Good luck figuring it all out!

Julie

Yoli said...

If it weren't so aggravating it would comical. I am sorry, they are really messed up.

Are you planning on adopting again?

Yoli

insanemommy said...

Just for the record. NO, no more adoptions. Something about being around to see them enter kindergarten!

Jen said...

You need to take that letter, and the twins, and go to the address listed and have them explain themselves. Video tape the whole thing and show it here. What a joke! Aaagh!

Nancy said...

OMG -
Someone please introduce the government to themselves.

Right hand, this is left hand!

Operationtigerlily said...

Unfuckingbeliveable, yet typical.

Heather said...

Boy, this makes me feel so safe and protected by our brillant leaders...almost as safe as our useless terrorist threat warning system. Code Orange! Code Orange!

t~ said...

Just think, these people get paid to be stupid. Nothing like a little brown envelope coming in the mail.