I171h Bill Introduced!!! Finally!!!!

A bill has been introduced in an attempt to increase the expiration
of the I171h by Heather Wilson. Whether you are a friend, family member, interested blogger, or friend/family member of an adoptive family, we all need your help!!!!

The article can be found here but you will have to cut and paste the link, blogger is not cooperating):

http://wilson.house.gov/NewsAction.asp?FormMode=Releases&ID=1284

We all need to get our Representatives behind this. You can email
your representatives from this link:

Find your local Represenatative

It only takes a few minutes. I already did it. Here is the sample
letter I sent. Feel free to use it. I read about the bill on the
Rumor Queens Site and since we could all use a little encouragement
with the increased wait times. Why not do something positive!

Dear Representative XXXXXXX,

I have admired your work over the years and continue to admire all
that you do for us here in XXXXX but we need your help. Last year we
began the process of adopting a child from China. This decision was
made after years of trying to start a family. Over the past year,
the process and wait has lengthened. So much so that there is a
possibilty that we may have to start the process all over again
because the one document we need, to enter the US with our child,
expires next July. The document is called the I171H and is currently
only valid for a period of 18 months. In addition, after 15 months
every family member over the age of 18 must be re-fingerprinted. The
cost is a substantial one. ($545 per application, $70/per family
member for fingerprinting). This fee does not include the cost of
providing the documents necessary to receive approval for the I171H,
home studies may have to be re-done, physicals taken, etc.. The
process to obtain the document is also lengthy. We have contacted
you before with our concerns about the expiration date of the I-171H
and the burden this will place on our family as well as an extra
burden on the USCIS. Heather Wilson has introduced legislation that
will give us relief. It is called the Helping Families Adopt Orphans
Act. Can you see what you can do to help this bill make it through
the house? You can read about it here:
http://wilson.house.gov/NewsAction.asp?FormMode=Releases&ID=1284


Thank you for your help getting this important piece of legislation
passed. It will help tens of thousands of families as well as keep
the already backlogged USCIS offices from having to renew the
paperwork for tens of thousands of families.

Your name