USCIS Fee for Certificate of Citizenship Will Increase on December 23, 2016

Fee Changes from USCIS Hague and Non-Hague Petitions and Certificate of Citizenship

On Monday October 24, USCIS published its final rule outlining changes in their fee schedule for services, including those for several adoption-related services.  You will note small fee increases for I-600/600As, I-800/800As, and a near-doubling of the fee to obtain a certificate of citizenship (N-600), which increases to $1,170.  The fee increases go to into effect on December 23, 2016. If you are filing any adoption related petition, be sure to reference the new fee schedule.  All this is very disappointing given the broadly expressed opposition to increasing the N-600 and that Congress even made their objections known.
 
Click here for more information.

ALERT USCIS FEE INCREASE: Increases will significantly impact I-600 and I-800 cases

USCIS FEE INCREASE: Increases will significantly impact I-600 and I-800 cases.  Effective September 12, 2014, the new Filing Petition for Visa will be $720.  The new Visa Processing fee will increase to $325.00.  

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/fees-visa-services.html#permanent

Notice: Immigrant visa application processing fees are tiered, as shown below, based on the visa category you apply for.

Every visa applicant must pay the visa application processing fee for the visa category being applied for.

Description of Service and Fee Amount (All fees = $ in US currency)

Filing an Immigrant Visa Petition (When collected by U.S. Embassies and Consulates for USCIS. Fees subject to change.)

Immigrant petition for relative (I-130): $420

Orphan (intercountry adoption) immediate relative petition  (I-600, I-800): $720

Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fees (non-refundable, per person)

Immediate relative and family preference applications (processed on the basis of an approved I-130, I-600 or I-800 petition): $325

Petition update – Governor Andrew Cuomo: NYS Should Fund Statewide Post Adoption Service

Aug 11, 2014 — After consultation with national adoption advocates and Senators that support the bill, Voice for Adoption is requesting individuals not call Senator Coburn’s office directly about this bill. There is concern that too many calls to Senator’s Coburn’s office may actually be counterproductive. Voice for Adoption and other adoption advocates will be working behind the scenes this August. If you want to visit with or call your Senator in their home office during the legislative summer break feel free to mention your support for HR 4980 but please do not mention Senator Coburn by name.

Click here to Read More & Promote this Petition

CHIFF Momentum is Growing... Watch This Video!

The momentum is building for CHIFF! In the last 24 hours, over 1,500 people have signed the petition and hundreds more have 'Liked' CHIFF on Facebook. Let’s keep sharing the petition and the need for this life changing bill.

Below is a video explaining CHIFF. Feel free to share it as you continue to share with your contacts throughout the week. Together, we can make a huge impact!

Let's keep the momentum going! Keep spreading the word about CHIFF and together we can change the future for children who need our help.

Click here to see video.

Support CHIFF—Children In Families First

The safest place for a child is in the loving arms of a parent. Children without a family are at higher risk for trafficking, forced labor, and abuse. Learn how you can help. Support CHIFF Children In Families First at http://childreninfamiliesfirst.org/please-sign-chiff-petition-today #SupportCHIFF

Both Ends Burning Campaign

Dear Hopscotch Adoptions Families,

My name is Craig Juntunen, and I am the founder of the Both Ends Burning Campaign, a non-profit foundation dedicated to creating a culture of adoption.  My guess is you are as angry and frustrated as I am with the eight straight years of decline in international adoptions in our country and around the world, especially in light of the available and abundant solution in the form of families who would like to adopt these children.

About Both Ends Burning.

Both Ends Burning is leading a movement to demand change, and we invite you  to join forces with us to create the political and social will to drive real change and ultimately reverse the declining trend line in adoptions.

Our first step in working together is to expose the issue so we can be in a position to promote solutions. We are taking on the monumental task of a 60-city barnstorming tour to form a loud and proactive voice for the children who are currently being ignored. You can influence the outcome of this tour. 

STUCK the documentary premieres in Raleigh and Charlotte.

The centerpiece for the tour is the new, award-winning documentary STUCK.  We will premier the film in Raleigh on March 2 and Charlotte on March 3. In Raleigh the screening will take place at the Grand 16.  The Charlotte premier will be at the Northlake Mall 14 Theater.

To see the trailer for the film, learn more about both the tour and our volunteer needs and to purchase tickets for the premiere in your city, please go to www.bothendsburning.org.

STUCK is a testament to the power of human love and the undeniable connection between parent and child – even when separated by thousands of miles and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It is a love story of a different kind that celebrates the human spirit, the loyalty and the devotion that bonds these parents and kids together as families.

Our request to you.

To make the greatest possible impact for the children, it is paramount to increase awareness of the issue. You can help by spreading the word and inviting everyone in your network to join us by sending them this link: STUCK. Urge them to be part of the experience in Raleigh and Charlotte and in other cities during the tour. By doing so, you will help create the necessary momentum and take the first step in changing children’s lives. 

The tour culminates in Washington, D.C. on May 17. That afternoon we will lead the Step Forward for Orphans March when we will deliver the million signatures gathered on the petition to members of Congress. You can sign the petition now by clicking here. Please put this important date on your calendar. I invite you to come to D.C. in May to join us as we march together. There will be a gala that night to celebrate the new beginning the tour has created.

I hope I have inspired you to become involved and join forces with us. The kids we are working for need a team effort and your energy will make a difference. 

Thank you for your support,

Craig Juntunen
Founder, Both Ends Burning
www.bothendsburning.org
16009 N. 81st St. Suite 130
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Russia: Sign the Petition

Young Adoptee Responds to Ban on Intercountry Adoption in Russia

Sasha D’Jamoos is a young Russian adoptee with special needs who last week started Voice of the Child, a campaign to encourage the continuation of adoptions between Russia and the United States.  As part of his campaign, Sasha has published a letter and petition to President Putin. Please sign the petition and encourage others to do so as well. Click here to sign the petition and please forward to others who may be interested. Thank you for your support.

Best Wishes,

Tom DiFilipo