Well, we saw the attorney. She is a wonderful and warm woman, but she doesn't hold out much hope for us. The problem is that these appeals never leave the agency. Just our social worker's work is reviewed by her boss then her boss and so on, up the chain. She says our chances of getting this changed, with or without her help are about 5%.<P>It is basically a beauty contest and we failed. When Mr. Job said that he wasn't arrested and then Immigration and Naturalization returned his finger prints, our agency lost face with Immigration and they will never forgive us. It doesn't matter that it wasn't an arrest, only a citation, that it was adjudicated as a traffic violation, that the record was expunged and we had no legal obligation to report it. Nothing matters except that we embarrassed them.<P>She suggested that we start with a different agency (one that has a reputation for being milder) and try again. Meanwhile, she is goign to get on some boards for adoption attorneys and see if any other agency also works with these boys orphanage. We are to contact a Russian government official who spent a week with us last summer while the boys where here. We are to ask her if they are still available and can she help us in any way. <P>We think that we are going to try both approaches: working on the fringe as she calls it and also completing the appeals process. The problem is that our agency has offered to let us withdraw from the home study. That is important because you don't ever want to say that you have failed a homestudy. If you do, Immigration is liable to reject you our of hand.<P>All I can say is AAARRRGGGGHHHH!<P>Donna<p>[This message has been edited by Mrs. Job (edited August 13, 2001).]

Aw Mrs. Job I don't know what to say. I'll pray for you.<P>love<BR>Debi<P>------------------<BR>Imagine....

Dear Mrs. Job,<P>I am praying like anything that the boys are still available and there must surely be another agency that can work with the orphanage. <P>But can't your attorney petition for a direct adoption of the boys and bypass the agency? Or will the orphanage only deal with an agency?<P>The whole thing is so unfair. The courts are so concerned that an OC gets everything they are entitled to, but when people are trying to give homeless children a chance they have to be put through all kinds of torture tests. <P>My prayers are with you. Keep up your strength and keep working around the system. I pray you will make it.<P>love,<BR>heavenly

Mrs.J, even though you sound disappointed, I see hope in your news!! 1)you might get the boys through another agency, and 2)you could ax the "failed" homestudy (hurray!)... as you said, you don't want THAT on your record. This way you'll either get a better shot at the kids you want and if that doesn't happen, you've still got hope for adopting! Your attorney sounds very sensible. Many "rules" are more about saving face (ie the agency's embarrassment) than sticking to the facts, esp. when dealing with foreign countries.<P>My fingers are crossed and prayers for you and yours! <BR>J

Mrs J<P>Just wanted to know I was thinking about you all. <P>Continuing to pray for all of you involved..<P>Love<BR>bw