US DOS Update

On Friday the US Department of State (DOS) posted an announcement that they were ready to begin the Orphans First initiative. Through this the US embassy in Nepal will be investigating the orphan status of the child before prospective adoptive parents travel to Nepal and adopt their child. This cuts down on the possibility of a family adopting a child who will not receive a visa to immigrate to the US. Since the suspension, those of us with referrals have been waiting for this to begin. We were all very anxious because we were afraid it would take months to get this program running. We were also all very anxious because for those of us who have received travel approval, we were only given 60 days to complete the adoption. The US has negotiated with Nepal to extend the travel approvals on a case by case basis, as needed to conduct the investigations. While this is a relief, we are all still very fearful about the outcome of the investigations. Rumors were that the embassy would be investigating these “pipeline” cases more vigorously than the previous cases and that most of the visas would be denied. But these are rumors and DOS will not say how they are investigating the cases.

Now we just need to pray. There is nothing else we can do. We sent our paperwork (it is on its way to Nepal as we speak). We are waiting for an appointment to have our fingerprints renewed. There is nothing else we can do. We have no power over this situation. This is my prayer. .. That if our little girl does have a family that is willing and able to care for her, that they are found and she is reunited with them. However, if she does not have this family, it is my prayer that all of her paperwork will be in order (sufficient to approve a visa) and that she be granted a visa. What I will not be able to live with is if she does not have a family and does not have sufficient data to prove she is an orphan. That means she may spend the rest of her life in an orphanage. That will be very difficult for me to live with. Please pray with me. Thanks!

Carrie