News from Kathmandu

Last Tuesday we got the copies of the documents that went with our I-600 to Kathmandu.  Within these were all of the documents from the children’s home that will become the proof that little girl is a true orphan.  Mike and I poured over this information.  After looking at them, we felt pretty confident that she would be proven an orphan.  The next morning we even discussed the logistics of going to Nepal. 

THEN, on Friday, we got the “News from Kathmandu”.  This was an email that was a copy of a blog post of a family that had been in Nepal, met and bonded with their child, and were not approved for a visa.  They had to travel home without the child.  It was devastating for them and I am sure for the child.  Their file has been sent on to New Delhi.  (Read previous blog post for what happens in Delhi).  Sadly, they are not the only ones whose files have been sent on to New Delhi.  At this point, I do not know of one family who has had the visa approved for their child under the new policy.  The blog post says that it is expected that all of the files will be sent to New Delhi.

And it gets more complicated…  Embassy officials are not saying why they are not approving the visas or what information they are getting from the Nepali paperwork that is questionable.  Apparently there is a US law that says they don’t have to (or cannot) tell PAPs the results of the investigations they are doing.  The PAP’s don’t have a clue.  So when the files are sent to New Delhi, in 2 of the outcomes the PAP’s may provide additional information to prove orphan status.  But, of course, most of us are a million miles away and have no clue what piece of information would be helpful.  I hate to say this, but it seems pretty bleak.

It is so frustrating that our US laws are not making sense.  I am not sure what greater good is being served by keeping kids in orphanages.  It is so frustrating that the paperwork is not good enough.  There must be some way to prove these children are orphans that meets US standards, but we don’t know what that is.  I have asked about and looked up information on the legal definition of “abandoned” and “orphan” as it relates to international adoption, but it is vague.  Are the people at the embassy not approving visas because of paperwork, when they know, in their hearts, that there is no family to come and get the child?  How can that be?

So, it is not good news. But, I have a hope in my heart that this is meant to be and will work out.  We will see…  My prayer still is that if our little girl has a family who is willing and able to care for her, that they will come and get her.  If she does not have a family, I am praying that all of her paperwork will be in order so that she can be granted a visa and join our family.

Love to all,

Carrie