Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Don't pay for USCIS forms & JCICS Update news

Hi All~
I just saw this on the RQ and thought it merited a re-post here as Dave and I also almost paid for forms when we were looking to download them online. I may have posted these links before, but it's a good time for an update:
Per USCIS:

"Warning! Many non-USCIS websites offer immigration forms. Some will sell you a downloadable form for a fee. These sites are not affiliated with USCIS, and these sites may not have the latest versions of forms. In some circumstances, use of older forms may result in your application or petition being denied or delayed. The latest version of these forms is always available on www.USCIS.gov."

Copy and past any of the links below into your browser.

I600 in Tiny URL:
http://tinyurl.com/1600-no-A
Standard URL:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=c5695f56ff55d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

I600A in Tiny URL:
http://tinyurl.com/1600A-Tiny
Standard URL:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=abde5f56ff55d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

All USCIS forms in Tiny URL:
http://tinyurl.com/All-USCIS-Forms-Tiny
Standard URL:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Don't be folled into using pay sites. :)
If you find any links on this blog that are "bad" (don't work) would you please email me? dianne@sleepinggiantcreations.com

Joint Council On International Childrens' Services (JCICS) is working on some key issues for adopting families right now. Two that I will mention are extending the US Adoption Tax Credit and helping adoptive parents with the new TB rule.
You can see JCICS' updates all the time yourself by "friending" them on FACEBOOK:
JCICS Facebook Tiny URL:
http://tinyurl.com/FACEBOOK-JCICS
Full URL:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Joint-Council-on-International-Childrens-Services/125257530127
JCICS has had their funding cut like so many agencies, but they continue to work miracles for children in need and adoptive families. Please consider becoming a member. I believe the cost is $40/year.
They are really just amazing at JCICS. Recently they pulled together with WPs waiting to adopt from Kyrgyzstan to bring a Kyrgystan delegation to the USA for talks. So, help them out with a little $ if you possibly can, and join them on Facebook to get all the news while it's still hot.
(Just an aside, if you haven't been on Facebook it is not like My Space. It is actually a non-intrusive, non-see-2B-seen kind of place that makes it easy to keep in touch with a lot of people or causes or both, at once. In 5 minutes you can check on all your friends and all your groups. Give it a try! It's free too.)

So, how are you doing with the wait? I have seen some families, marriages, and people devastated by the wait, and it really tears my heart up. I have seen many more, though, make it to the child waiting at the end. Please reach out and get some support for the wait process. If you want to talk or join swaps/activities with others in for the long haul, we would love to have you join us:
Click to join WWFChina2006

Click to join WWFChina2006


I also suggest that you network with people in your area. Advertise on the Yahoo groups or RQ for locals waiting too, and be the one who plans an event. In my experience you'll be glad you did!
Hang in there!
xo~
Di