We submitted out i800 to USCIS on 8/5/16.
We got notice that it was received on 8/8/16. That same day (the 8th) is when our dossier and signed original docs made their way to the orphange. The orphange reviews our dossier to basically learn all about our family - just on paper. This is then submitted to CARA to assist in issuing us our NOC (which is coming soon, hopefully) and also to submit in court as evidence.
Love, love that this paper is what makes her our "immediate relative" in the eyes of US immigration.
8/19/16 we were mailed something called an RFE, or Request for Evidence. This is the dreaded "pink paper" that USCIS sends when they need more evidence on an item before they'll approve your i800 application. Our USCIS officer wanted to have a something called a CWC letter (this states that S is legally free for adoption) and also another proof of her birth date.
We asked the orphanage for the items we need and had a bit of a delay getting them. They have been so good to get us what we need...I was concerned when we didn't hear from them (like cold turkey) for a week. Come to find out; they were having internet issues. Our wonderful agency suggested a "work around" to them and voila! we got one paper that night. We then got the 2nd one the next night.
We then, on 9/8/16, overnighted all of the evidence back to our officer. We tried to call her on Friday the 9th to confirm she'd gotten it and if we were approved. We haven't heard back from her yet - but we PRAY that Monday is our day! We are so ready to close this chapter of i800 and move on to Article 5.
In other news, after a 21 day journey...little bit finally got her box that we sent her!
They haven't sent us any pictures or video of her with the things we sent, but we are thankful she at least got it.
Today we also attended a travel workshop that was held by our agency, Children of the World. We discussed any and everything related to travel in India. It made it feel SO real to know that we are SO close to these things actually being relevant to us. We have no idea how close we are to traveling, but today we were told to pray that we have a compassionate judge. That we are assigned a judge who cares and who wants S to be with our family. So, this is where our prayers will turn! Please join us in prayer for this, too.
