I171-H !!!

The USCIS Houston office is on top of their game!That is a statement that would shock most in the adoption arena. Especially with all of the families that have suffered waiting for that one piece of paper ! To my shock ,we received our I 171-H this past Saturday! We were scared that this one piece of paper would delay us being registered . Russia now requires the parents to have their I171-H in hand to register in a region. We sent our original application to the USCIS on January 7,2008 . On March 11,2008 we learned that our application was thrown away because the Houston office does not accept personal checks! Despite what the USCIS online information or the customer service line states, check with your local office to see what their polices on this are!Anyway... we refiled on March 12,2008 and had our approved 171-H in hand on April 12,2008!That was only a 32 day turnaround. We had a lady by the name of Ess that was so helpful . I believe if the Department of Homeland Security hired more people of her caliber there would not be children waiting and families struggling to get this crucial piece of paper . Now, we are really ready !!! ... if only the phone would ring!