The past two months have been extremely exciting ones for the Burkina Program. We currently have seven families with I-800A approval with three more following close on their heels. I mailed three families' I-800 packets on April 22 and another this week; two were approved immediately, one just needs a minor tweak,* and one is still in process. And the best news of all is two families received court dates for their adoptions.
*(For those still working on the USCIS processes, please be sure that the Petitioner on your I-800A is the same parent as the one listed on the I-800. It doesn't matter if you choose to put the husband's or wife's name, it only matters that you are consistent throughout all paperwork.)
Ruth has been working very hard to collect all the documents needed to meet USCIS requirements, including your children's birth certificates, medicals, child studies, schedules, and the Poursuite, which is the grand finale.
I know all of you are waiting on pins and needles and for that, I am sorry and sympathize. With that in mind, here is Ruth's "Best Guess Timeline" for what will be ahead for most of you. Please understand that this is only an estimate and Ruth has no control over the Burkinabe system:
- Your dossier goes to Social Action. Allow one month for it to arrive at our attorney's office.
- Allow one month for the attorney to review everything and compile your official dossier.
- Allow one month for your dossier to circulate and obtain four signatures (govt. folks).
- Allow one month for review at the courthouse in the region in which your child resides.
- Date for declaration of abandonment.
- Wait one month.
- Set a date for declaration of adoption.
- Wait 30 days before coming to pick up your child.
Approximately 6 to 8 months more to wait for those of you who have dossiers in Burkina.
I know it's too long. If misery loves company, you might like to know that our China families are now waiting six years! Doesn't make it better, just a bit of perspective!
