The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has issued an official statement (posted by the Joint Council of International Childrens Services)about the new submission procedures for the I-600 petition. The announcement echoes much of the content of my last post on the subject, but goes into greater detail about the steps the process will entail starting on Monday. I applaud the USCIS for making changes to protect Vietnamese children and families alike. After receiving numerous cases in which they were unable to classify adopted children as orphans, they decided that these changes would be in the best interest of all involved.

The problem that is faced now concerns parents who have travel dates or had planned to travel in the near future. The USCIS has offered some leniency and will allow the current system of conducting an I600 interview in Hanoi to continue until November 2nd. From November 5-16, requests for an I600 interview will be considered on a case by case basis only. Starting November 17th, I600 petitions will only be accepted by mail. Many parents are contacting their state senators and congressmen and women urging them to get involved and make the transition into this change longer.

For the rest of us who will not be traveling by November 16th, we will have to mail our I-600 to Viet Nam. Here is what will happen from there:

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  You mail your I-600 petition to the United States Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City
  


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  When they receive the form and supporting documents, parents will receive a receipt of documents. If any further documentation is required, you will be notified at this stage. They are estimating that this step will take sixty days.
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  If your child qualifies as an orphan, you can travel to Viet Nam for your Giving and Receiving Ceremony. If they do not qualify, you will still have the opportunity to respond to their findings.

Honestly, I’m a little bummed about these changes because the wait time between referral and travel (the hardest wait!) will be extended. But, above all else, I am glad that the USCIS is taking action to ensure that children who are adopted are done so legitimately. I’ll continue to keep you all updated as more information comes in.

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