December 23, 2016, new fees will go into effect for USCIS form

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Surrendering My Adopted Child's Passport

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Recently, I've handled several cases where panicked parents have received letters stating that they should surrender their adopted child's US passport. Usually, the parents went through the rigorous process of adopting while they were living overseas.  They had a home-study done by a US accredited agency.  They filed the I600A or I800A.  They completed the intercountry adoption process and the child was granted either an IR-3 or IH-3 visa.  They then came to the U.S. for a while with the child and obtained a U.S. passport for the child.  Often, the Certificate of Citizenship issued by USCIS was sent to their U.S. address. Then, both parents and child returned to their overseas address. In the past, this worked well.  But, now, the Department of State and USCIS have both determined to treat these cases differently. The family that followed this route will get a letter from the Department of State telling the parents that the child's passport was issued erron...
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Michael Steele Talks about His Adoption Story

Who doesn't need an inspiring adoption story during this time of year? We just listened to The Ax Files Podcast of Michael Steele talking about his adoption. Michael Steele is an American politician who served as the first African-American chairperson of the Republican National Committee. If you read Steele's Biography , you will see many of his accomplishments.  Although he has a tremendous resume, it wasn't smooth sailing for him to get there. Michael Steele's biological mother got pregnant with him back in the 50's while she was attending a Catholic University. She was on her way to "deal" with her pregnancy when she came across a nun that ended up changing her mind and instead, helped her to make an adoption plan. On  another side of the adoption triad, we have Mr. Steele's adoptive mother.  She and her husband wanted to have childen, but they were told they were infertile.  Mrs. Steele said this is when she knew that there was something bigger and...
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Instant Mom, Nia Vardalos

  In today’s society, we tend to put movie stars up on a pedestal. As quickly as they go up, they easily fall down again due to bad publicity or the next new person who comes into the spotlight. We can name what movies they have starred in or what television show they originally came from.  We even know what magazine cover they were last featured in; but have we ever stopped to think about the fact that even though they are constantly under the pressure and judgmental eye of the public, they go through the same struggles we face? If you are not familiar, Nia Vardalos was the writer and star of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  S he has also been in many other television shows and movies. Ms. Vardalos recently shared her struggles with infertility in her memoir, Instant Mom.  I devoured this book on a plane ride after meeting Ms. Vardalos at our annual American Academy of Adoption Attorneys meeting this year.  My seatmate gave me questioning looks as I wa...
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