Immigration Approval Problems AAAAUUUGGGHHH

I mentioned in my earlier post "screw-ups by CIS". Here's a synopsis of the high level of service I have received from our government employees. I have to point out that this is Dept of Homeland Security. Their efficiency does NOT make me feel safe & or secure....

The forms I'm referring to are preapproval for Lila to be allowed into the US as a US citizen.

I sent our paperwork to the CIS office is Des Moines on June 5.

Our expiration date is June 19.

We had not yet received any information from them on July 2. I know you have to wait 4 weeks until checking the status of the I600 applcation.

I found a number in the telephone book for Des Moines CIS. I called but was told I had to email any questions about adoption. I emailed that same day.

I had no response by the 7th so I called the national CIS 800 number. I was transferred to an officer who told me I had to email Des Moines but that they promise an answer within 2 business days. I emailed again.

July 10, still no answer, emailed again.

July 11, still no answer, called the national 800 number, they told me I have to email Des Moines, so I emailed again.

July 14, still no answer, called the Omaha CIS office (we live in eastern Iowa right by Omaha so it's much closer than Des Moines) they told me I have to email Des Moines. They also told me that had someone else call recently with the same problem of not getting a response from Des Moines. I called the number I have for Des Moines again. I explained my problem to the person who answered the phone. She asked if I wanted to file a complaint which I didn't. She decided to have me talk to the supervisor. The supervisor told me that the adoption agent only works Wed, Thur, Fri. It was Monday when I called so she said she would have her take care of it right away Wednesday morning. She also answered my most recent email to confirm our conversation.

Wednesday July 16 came & went with no answer. I emailed again at 5:00 pm.

Thursday July 17 by 11:38 I had no answer yet so I called Des Moines again & asked for the adoption specialist. She was not in so I left a voicemail. I finally received an email response from her at 2:36.

Her email stated this....

CIS has received your request for an I-171H extension. However, this extension cannot be issued unless you have unexpired fingerprints on file with CIS. Our records show that your fingerprint clearances expired on 03/10/08.

You were sent a reminder notice, in addition to your I-171H approval, that listed the expiration dates of your I-171H approval and your fingerprint clearances, and also included instructions as to how to renew your fingerprints with CIS.

You must renew your fingerprints with CIS before an extension can be granted. You have been scheduled to be fingerprinted at the Omaha, NE CIS ASC. You should receive your fingerprint appointment notices within several days.

While I knew that our fingerprints had expired, I thought they would schedule the fingerprint appointment upon receipt of the paperwork. Instead they just left it lying around until we frantically tried to track down our paperwork. Then it took 3 weeks and a conversation with her supervisor to finally get an answer.

ANYWAY after all this we have been fingerprinted and are now waiting for our renewed paperwork. Our agency told me that since I had the original forms submitted before our expiration date we should be good to go.